Language Rights Emergency
Language Rights Emergency--Please call legislators NOW!

A vote is expected soon, possibly this week, on HB 1020, Lawton Representative Ron Kirby's "English Only" bill. The bill was voted out of the Rules Committee last year by one vote, when Rep. Opio toure left the room. Before being considered by the full House, it was sent back to the Rules Committee; that is where it is now. Rules is expected to vote on it soon, quite possibly this week. Some background and arguments are given below, and a list of Rules Committee members, their vote last year, and their contact information is in the attached document.

Background
HB 1020 would make English the official language of Oklahoma, and generally forbid the use of other languages by the government, either orally or in publications. Some exceptions are made for Indian languages, for federally mandated translations and for public safety.

Arguments against HB 1020
It is unnecessary. English is quite safe. Immigrants are learning English at a faster rate than ever before.
It is unconstitutional, restricting the speech of government employees.
It is based on the lie that it is the English language that unites us as Americans.
It is divisive, creating an "us" and a "them." In many places where English Only has passed, it has created new ethnic tensions or made existing tensions
worse.
It limits access to government services to only those with good English language skills.
It may actually discourage the learning or maintenance of other languges and cause Oklahomans to become even more monolingual, a handicap in dealings with the rest of the world. Many Indian leaders feel the exception for Indian languages is merely an attempt to divide the opposition, and that such a law, if passed, could too easily be amended later under the guise of "leveling the playing field."
It will inevitably lead to law suits which will be expensive for the state to defend against.
It makes no exception due to physical limitations, for the use of American Sign Language.
It is vaguely worded, eg. in the phrase "absent compelling circumstances." Presumably each state employee would be charged with interpreting such
phrases and memorizing the relevant exceptions. In practice, this will probably mean a chilling effect, beyond even the intended purpose of the bill.
It adds to the "mean and intolerant" image of Oklahoma.

Some of the organizatons opposing HB 1020
Green Party of Oklahoma
Intertribal Wordpath Society
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Oklahoma Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (OKTESOL)
Society of Oklahoma Linguists
Task Force on the Education of Limited English
Proficient Students in Oklahoma

Suggested Actions
Call or visit Rep. Roberts, Chairman of the Rules committee, and Elmer Maddux, Vice Chairman, and ask them not to bring this bill to a vote. If you are in the district of any other Rules Committee members, call them also, and call or email other members as you have time (if you're not in their district it won't
count as much). In any case, call your own Representative, to prepare for the possibility that HB 1020 may make it ourt of Rules and come to a vote in the full House. Many of the above organizations suggest that in addition to opposing 1020, you support Rep. Al Lindley's "English Plus" bill, which acknowledges the importance of English, protects minority language rights in Oklahoma, and encourages the use of all their languages by all Oklahomans.

Forward this message to friends and family, and ask them to do the same.

For the complete text of HB 1020 and of Rep. Lindley's Resolution (in preparation), go to http://www.lsb.state.ok.us

Thanks for bringing your concerns to the statehouse ASAP!

Alice Anderton
Ed Romo
Co-Spokespersons, Coalition for Language Diversity