Opinion ID: 2600380
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The interests underlying the OEI are compelling.

Text: The purpose of the OEI is described in AS 44.12.300, which states: The people of the State of Alaska find that English is the common unifying language of the State of Alaska and the United States of America, and declare a compelling interest in promoting, preserving and strengthening its use. ACL argues that the OEI also serves the goal of promoting unity among Alaskans with diverse backgrounds through a common language and of empower[ing] Alaska's non-English-speaking population with knowledge of the English language. ACL further claims that the OEI promotes efficiency by limiting the growth of government services in multiple languages, thereby conserving limited public resources. ACL argues that while some might believe, as did the superior court, that laws about language don't accomplish much, such a belief does not provide a constitutional basis to disparage the purposes of the Act as suspect or illegitimate, still less to reject them a priori as ineffective. Appellees do not address whether the state's interests in the challenged legislation are compelling. Courts have historically found a broad range of governmental interests to be compelling. During one recent term alone, the United States Supreme Court acknowledged as compelling the government's interests in promoting racial diversity in education, [128] its interest in protecting children from pornography, [129] and its interest in ensuring fair elections. [130] And this court, in turn, has recently found that the state had a compelling interest in protecting juveniles and curbing juvenile crime, [131] in maintaining order in its jails, [132] and in regulating campaign finance. [133] Turning to the specific governmental interests involved in this case, courts have recognized the importance of promoting linguistic unity in a diverse society [134] and of helping non-native English speakers to acquire English language skills. [135] As the Supreme Court of Arizona noted in Ruiz, in our diverse society the importance of establishing common bonds and a common language between citizens is clear. [136] That court went on to say, We recognize that the acquisition of English language skills is important in our society. [137] The importance of English language literacy has been recognized by the United States Congress through legislation regarding naturalization and instruction in English as a second language. [138] And the United States Supreme Court, in a recent decision on access to educational opportunities, noted that [e]ffective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the civic life of our Nation is essential if the dream of one Nation, indivisible, is to be realized. [139] We conclude that the OEI's stated purposes of promoting, preserving and strengthening the use of English, [140] encouraging the acquisition of English-language proficiency, and increasing the efficiency of government, are, as stated in the OEI itself, compelling interests. Accordingly, we turn to the question whether the state can achieve its objective through less restrictive means.