House passes English-only bill
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| Chickasaw Nation citizen and state Rep. Lisa Billy, R-Dist. 42, questions Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Dist.53, about his English-only legislation March 11 on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. (Photo by Will Chavez) |
By Will Chavez
Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY – After lengthy and emotional debate that saw more representatives speak against the measure than for it, the Oklahoma House of Representatives on March 11 passed House Joint Resolution 1042 to make English the state’s official language.
Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Dist. 53, introduced the English-only bill, which passed by a vote of 66-32. The legislation now heads to the Senate where a similar measure introduced in 2008 died in committee.
Terrill said the country’s common language of English and the melting pot process has made America the most successful multi-ethnic nation in history.
“Today, however, it is that priceless inheritance that is in danger. It is under attack by those people who stand to gain by dividing America into separate communities who do not share a common language. They use the word multi-culturalism when in fact they are teaching a doctrine of linguist apartheid,” he said. “I think we have an obligation to defend our common language and safeguard it.”
If HJR 1042 passes the Senate, Oklahoma voters would vote on a constitutional amendment in 2010 requiring English in official state business, such as government documents, licenses and telephone systems.
Though the measure makes exceptions for Indian languages, sign language and situations involving health and public safety, much debate centered around its possible effect on Indian languages.
Before the debate, Rep. Lisa Billy, R-Dist. 42, a Chickasaw Nation citizen who sits near Terrill in the House chamber, greeted him using multiple Indian languages, including Cherokee, and asked him “what kind of problem are we trying to solve” with the bill.
Terrill said the legislation boils down to one thing, which is: “should somebody have to right to demand taxpayer-funded services from the state of Oklahoma in languages other than English?”
He said if legislators believe the answer is yes, they should vote against his legislation.
He added Oklahoma has a “unique environment” because of its 39 federally-recognized tribes, and he is “sensitive” about their concerns his legislation may prevent the use and preservation of Indian languages.
“If it were to become law and voted on by the people, Oklahoma would be the only state…in the world that would provide constitutional protection, not only to English, but to Native American tribal languages,” Terrill said.
Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Dist. 13, who claims Muscogee (Creek) heritage, said based on state and federal governments’ past dealings with Indian tribes, tribes have every right to be skeptical about exceptions made for them in legislation.
“You see, we had constitutional protection when tribes were forced to march (to Indian Territory). They were protected by the government…as they starve and froze,” he said. “This bill is not just political; it’s divisive. Any time you are taking Oklahomans and putting them against each other, that’s divisive.”
But Rep. Mike Christian, R-Dist. 93, a Choctaw Nation citizen, said opposition to the bill is “misguided.” He said a number of Choctaw citizens told him that at a recent meeting.
However, Rep. Chuck Hoskin, D-Dist. 6, who is a former Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor, said the legislation is unnecessary and is opposed by the governments of the Five Civilized Tribes – Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole.
“We know what has happened throughout our history, and we know how hard people have fought that’s come before us to maintain our languages. We don’t necessarily want to be superior to English, but we want to stand alongside,” he said. “I want to encourage Native people and non-Native people to come forward and speak what they feel needs to be said about this resolution.”
Hoskin said if the resolution gets to the ballot he hopes people understand exactly what is it at stake as tribes work hard to save their languages.
Rep. Anastasia Pittman, D-Dist. 99, called HJR 1042 “abusive” and “offensive” with too many exceptions. The high number of exceptions shows there are several problems with it, she said.
She said the House should reject the legislation and support counter legislation in the Senate, authored by Rep. Billy and introduced by Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Dist. 19, which seeks to make English the state’s “common language.”
Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Dist. 78, said HJB 1042 is about one thing – illegal immigration – and believes many people would vote for it if it goes to a ballot. She said the bill’s unintended consequence is that it may send a message to foreign businesses and refugees that Oklahoma doesn’t respect other cultures and languages.
Thirty other states have an official language, said Rep. George Faught, R-Dist. 14, and immigrants to the state should expect to learn English when they come here.
“Our goal should be for people to integrate quickly into society so that they can be successful and productive and not be handicapped because of their inability to communicate,” he said. “If we don’t strive for this goal we will create, in essence, a slave labor market that has no greater prospect than to continue at poverty and low-economic status.”
Cherokee citizen and Rep. Shane Jett, D-Dist. 27, said the legislation sends the wrong message that the state is “closed minded” and not inclusive.
“We should be looking at building business opportunities; we’re looking at closing them down,” he said. “It also sends a bad message to the people who have been corporally punished for speaking their Native tongue.”