I
104TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3850
To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the official
language of the United States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 18, 1996
Mr. CUNNINGHAM introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities
A BILL
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘English Language
Empowerment Act of 1996’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The United States is comprised of individ-
uals and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and
linguistic backgrounds.
(2) The United States has benefited and contin-
ues to benefit from this rich diversity.
(3) Throughout the history of the United
States, the common thread binding individuals of
differing backgrounds has been a common language.
(4) In order to preserve unity in diversity, and
to prevent division along linguistic lines, the Federal
Government should maintain a language common to
all people.
(5) English has historically been the common
language and the language of opportunity in the
United States.
(6) The purpose of this Act is to help immi-
grants better assimilate and take full advantage of
economic and occupational opportunities in the
United States.
(7) By learning the English language, immi-
grants will be empowered with the language skills
and literacy necessary to become responsible citizens
and productive workers in the United States.
(8) The use of a single common language in
conducting official business of the Federal Govern-
ment will promote efficiency and fairness to all peo-
ple.
(9) English should be recognized in law as the
language of official business of the Federal Govern-
ment.
(10) Any monetary savings derived from the en-
actment of this Act should be used for the teaching
of non-English speaking immigrants the English
language.
SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 4, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:
‘‘CHAPTER 6—LANGUAGE OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
‘‘Sec.
‘‘161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government.
‘‘162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
‘‘163. Official Federal Government activities in English.
‘‘164. Standing.
‘‘165. Reform of naturalization requirements.
‘‘166. Rule of construction.
‘‘167. Definitions.
‘‘§ 161. Declaration of official language of Federal
Government
‘‘The official language of the Federal Government is
English.
‘‘§ 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the offi-
cial language
‘‘The Federal Government shall have an affirmative
obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as
the official language of the Federal Government. Such ob-
ligation shall include encouraging greater opportunities for
individuals to learn the English language.
‘‘§ 163. Official Federal Government activities in Eng-
lish
‘‘(a) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.—The Federal Govern-
ment shall conduct its official business in English.
‘‘(b) DENIAL OF SERVICES.—No person shall be de-
nied services, assistance, or facilities, directly or indirectly
provided by the Federal Government solely because the
person communicates in English.
‘‘(c) ENTITLEMENT.—Every person in the United
States is entitled—
‘‘(1) to communicate with the Federal Govern-
ment in English;
‘‘(2) to receive information from or contribute
information to the Federal Government in English;
and
‘‘(3) to be informed of or be subject to official
orders in English.
‘‘§ 164. Standing
‘‘A person injured by a violation of this chapter may
in a civil action (including an action under chapter 151
of title 28) obtain appropriate relief.
‘‘§ 165. Reform of naturalization requirements
‘‘(a) FLUENCY.—It has been the longstanding na-
tional belief that full citizenship in the United States re-
quires fluency in English. English is the language of op-
portunity for all immigrants to take their rightful place
in society in the United States.
‘‘(b) CEREMONIES.—All authorized officials shall
conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.
‘‘§ 166. Rule of construction
‘‘Nothing in this chapter shall be construed—
‘‘(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress, an em-
ployee or official of the Federal Government, while
performing official business, from communicating
orally in a foreign language with another person.
‘‘(2) to discriminate against or restrict the
rights of any individual in the country;
‘‘(3) to discourage or prevent the use of lan-
guages other than English in any nonofficial capac-
ity; and
‘‘(4) except where an existing Federal law di-
rectly contravenes the amendments made by such
section (such as by requiring the use of a language
other than English for official business of the Fed-
eral Government), to repeal existing Federal laws.
‘‘§ 167. Definitions
‘‘For purposes of this chapter: