Official English for Nevada
by D. Dowd Muska
A bill recently introduced in the Nevada Legislature
would make English the state's official language. Assembly
Bill 441, sponsored by 12 members, designates English as the
official language of the state and contains a number of related
provisions.
The Theory Behind Official English
According to U.S. English -- a citizen group working to
make English the official language at all governmental levels
-- at least 329 languages are currently spoken in the United
States. (Including Achumawi, Lapp, Mon-Khmer, Slovak
and Zuni.)
America's great diversity is an asset to the nation, but in
recent years local, state and federal government agencies
have been strained by ever-increasing duplication of govern-
ment services in multiple languages.
According to U.S. English, the proliferation of multilin-
gual government sends this dangerous message to immi-
grants: "It is not necessary to learn English because the
government will accommodate them in other languages.
As a result, immigrants fail to learn English and separate
into linguistic enclaves. This division of the United States
into separate language groups contributes to racial and ethnic
conflicts."
Official English helps to curb ethnic strife by promoting
unity. It also streamlines government and cuts costs.
An official English requirement simplifies government
operations because it gives bureaucrats clear guidelines for
their actions. "We're not suggesting that people shouldn't hold
on to their native languages," wrote U.S. English Chairman
Mauro E Mujica. "We just don't believe the government
should spend money providing services in multiple lan-
guages."
Broad Public Support
Opponents of Official English claim such laws violate the
Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, June 5, 1997 11
Guest editorial
iright of free speech, but courts have repeatedly upheld the
constitutionality of official English laws.
The general public agrees-- in August of 1995, a Luntz
Research poll revealed broad support for the establishment of
English as the official language for the United States.
Eighty-six percent of respondents answered affirmatively
to the question "Do you think English should he made the
official language of the United States?" Support for official
English crossed racial lines, with 89 percent of whites and 86
percent of blacks voicing approval.
Support for official English also enjoyed bipartisan sup-
port: 90 percent of Republicans, 84 percent of Democrats and
83 percent of Independents approved.
U.S. English, the country's largest official English citizen
group, currently claims over one million members.
Official English legislation has been passed in 23 states,
most recently in Wyoming, Georgia and Virginia. Florida's
official English proposition passed with 84 percent support,
and Nevada's neighbor California, the most ethnically-di-
verse state in the nation, passed its law with a 73 percent
approval rate. Arizona's 1988 official English statute was
challenged all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but in
March of this year, the High Court unanimously upheld
Arizona's law.
The Nevada Bill
AB 441 amends Nevada statutes to designate English as
the official language of the state of Nevada. It mandates that
all proceedings of the state must be conducted in English, all
official records of the state must be "prepared, stored, and
made available" in English and all official publications must
be published in English.
The bill contains a number of important exemptions,
including state business conducted orally, foreign language
classes, instruction of students "whose proficiency in the
English language is limited," situations when excessive use
of the English language would "interfere with public health or
safety," and the promotion of international trade or tourism by
an agent of the state.
AB 441 requires state agencies to record each expenditure
made "to provide services in a language other than English."
Foreign language expenditures
"must be set forth separately in the budget estimates' of each
agency.
The bill also bars any Nevada court from hearing a legal
claim against the state based solely on failure "to provide
copies of statutes, regulations, reports, forms, or other docu-
ments" in a non-English language.
Conclusion
While Nevada public records and proceedings are all
currently conducted or published in English, the state's rapid
population growth will almost certainly generate pressure by
some to accommodate newcomers by conducting state busi-
ness in different languages.
AB441 would ensure that state proceedings are conducted
in a uniform language, saving taxpayer dollars and hastening
the assimilation of non-English speaking immigrants.
The bill does not ban bilingual education or "common
sense" use of foreign languages in state business. It does not
restrict or outlaw private citizeus from using a separate dialect
in their businesses, homes or during religious ceremonies.
If enacted, AB 441 would simply prevent the creation of
"linguistic welfare" in the Silver State.
States with Official English Laws -- Alabama (1990),
Arizona (1988), Arkansas (1987), California (1986), Colorado
(1988), Florida (1988), Georgia (1986,1996), Hawaii (1978)
Illinois (1969) Indiana (1984), Kentucky (1984), Louisiana
(1811), Mississippi (1987), Montana (1995), Nebraska (1920),
New Hampshire (1995), North Carolina (1987), North Dakota
(1987), South Carolina (1987), South Dakota (1995), Tennes-
see (1984), Virginia (1981, 1996), Wyoming (1996).
Letters to the Editor
'In Focus' series applauded
The Board of Directors of No to Abuse commends you on
your excellent series on domestic violence. Patti Babcock's
"In Focus" columns on child abuse and family violence laid
bare what is happening in the real world. And this scary, "real
world" does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed or
income. As Patti. stated in her first column, she has only
touched the surface of the devastation caused by family
violence.
In addition to alerting communities as far north as Tonopah
and Round Mountain to the seriousness of these crimes, this
series has also communicated the fact that help is available.
As a direct result, No to Abuse has received many calls and
new clients. Patti helped communities take a big step toward
recognizing this is a problem that belongs to them not Reno,
not Las Vegas, but to Nye County. It is our responsibility as
members of our communities to try to help the children who
are being brutalized and the men and women who are being
beaten. We also need to help the abuser who wants to change
things but doesn't know how.
Again, thank you for choosing to print this valuable series
of articles. Thank you also for your ongoing support of the No
to Abuse Crisis Center. The best way to deliver our message
is through the media.
If you have not read Patti's series, I urge you to drop by the
Gazette office and request back issues. If you have read it and
recognize yourself or someone else who needs help, please
call No to Abuse at 751-1118 in Pabrump, or 482-3016 in
Tonopah. You may also call us toll free at 888-882-2873.
Volunteers are the lifeline for every victim of domestic
violence. We need them to train for crisis lines in Pahrmnp,
Silver Peak, Beatty, Tonopah and Round Mountain. You may
call the numbers above for more information on how to get
personally involved in stemming this epidemic.
No to Abuse is a private, non-profit agency funded by your
donations: P.O. Box 2869, Pabrnmp, NV 89041 and P.O. Box
3914, Tonopah, NV 89049.
Joni Eastley
Exeutive Board Chairman
No to Abuse
Pahrump
Car 25154...Who are you?
On April 24 of this year, at approximately 3:50 p.m., I was
returning from Las Vegas and was just about eight miles south
of Pahrump on SR 160. While traveling at a speed of 70 miles
per hour, a white Ford Taurus passed me at an excessive
speed. I noticed that the car had markings on the door stating,
"For Official Use Only." There were four people in the
vehicle.
I decided to take the license plate number. In order to get
close enough to obtain the number, I had to increase my speed
to 89mph. The license plate number was EX 25154. The car
continued to Gamebird and turned west; all the time in excess
of 80 mph. After the turn, the car continued west at a speed of
65 to 75 mph in a 45 zone. Then it turned north and delivered
three people to a home in Autunmwood Park. At about 4:20
p.m., I observed it picking up a lady at Blagg and Wilson,
taking her to Wilson and Margaret.
My question is, what county ordinance authorizes the use
of a public vehicle, paid for with tax money, clearly marked
"For Official Use Only," to be operated for what was obvi-
ously personal use?
Have we been hopdwinked into having established a
"County Taxi Service" for privileged individuals?
With both the county and the Town of Pahrump being
strapped for funds, how can we continue to permit these self-
appointed "prima donnas" to violate the public trust by the
improper use of public property?
Now! Please allow me to inform you of what will soon
befall not only this town and county, but also everyone in the
country. The stock markets will fail in 1997, destroying the
economy of the entire nation. Then what will you do? What
will you do when the poor beleaguered taxpayer, you and I,
have no more wealth to "contribute" to this freewheeling
economic insanity.
For the answer, ask anyone who experienced the Crash of
1929. The skeptics will continue to be skeptical; as they were
before every previous crash in our history. But then, the stark
reality hits home and it is done.
Bill Ballew
Pahrump
Check the law, please
We have been interested in reading the notes from the
Town Board meeting of May 27, 1997, and also comments
from friends in attendance.
It would seem prudent for the board to familiarize itself
with current building codes and practices as approved by the
state fire marshal's office.
We doubt there has been a new building built since the
MGM fire in the 1970s that doesn't meet the newer, stricter
codes. We doubt that Clark County has any equipment to
reach the top of the Stratosphere, New York New York, Luxor
or Circus Circus to name a few.
Current building practices require floors of high-rise build-
ings be equipped with hookups for fire hoses and are almost
separate entities in themselves.
We also doubt Laughlin has the equipment to reach, say
the top of the 18-story Flamingo Hilton, or the new towers at
the Ramada, Riverside, Edgewater or Gold River, to mention
a few more.
It's sad to see the treatment afforded Terrible's general
manager for his effort in courtesy to take his valuable time to
bring the plans to the board meeting. He is not required to
present his plans to anyone by the state fire marshal, for
approval.
Mr. Thielman, in his fast year of operation, has held an off-
road race and a successful golf tournament. These activities
have resulted in generous donations to various organizations
in the community.
If the board has any misgivings about new construction
possibilities, one wonders why they haven't been concerned
before now, since the County Commissioners passed County
Ordinance #184, October 15, 1995. This ordinance, for those
unfamiliar with same, requires a full-fledged casino to be
complete with a minimum of 45 motel-hotel rooms to receive
a Nye County license.
Since land is at a premium in Pabrump, and getting more
expensive every day, the natural way to go is up. So, it would
seem the board should have addressed their concerns to the
fire mat:shal, who could have allayed these fears.
Bob Coad
Pahrump
To the parents with school children
As you read in the local papers, a substitute teacher was in
the Rosemary Middle School and had been teaching for the
district since September of 1995.
He was arrested and charged with soliciting sodomy from
a minor. According to the paper on May 30, 1997 he was also
previously tested for AIDS and the test was positive.
Not only did he try to take advantage of the minor, he may
have or could have given him or her a death sentence.
The Nye County School District claims that he was re-
moved from the sub list But he fell through the cracks, as usual.
It is time we, as parents and citizens of this community,
make this school district accountable for its actions.
We should be getting tired of the lame excuses they
continue to give us.
I urge you, as a parent and a taxpayer of this community to
write your representitives concerning accountability.
Ethics Commission, 301 S. Stewart St., Carson City, NV.
U.S. Congressman, Jim Gibbons, 805 S. Durangu Drive,
Las Vegas, Nev. 89128
John S. Espana
Puhrump
• The Pahrump Valley
Gazette corrects mistakes. Errors should be
brought to the attention of the newspaper by calling
727-5583.
eoe
All opinions expressed on the letters page are those
of the artist or author indicated. Furthermore,
letters with names withheld will only be published if
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