Text: HF00464 Text: HF00466 Text: HF00400 - HF00499 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 1.18 ENGLISH PLUS AFFIRMATION.
1 2 1. The general assembly of the state of Iowa finds and
1 3 declares the following:
1 4 a. English is and will remain the primary language of the
1 5 state of Iowa, and all members of the state recognize the
1 6 importance of English to state life, individual
1 7 accomplishment, and personal enrichment.
1 8 b. Many United States citizens have native languages other
1 9 than English, including many languages indigenous to the North
1 10 American continent, and many members of society have not had
1 11 an equal opportunity to learn English.
1 12 c. The ability to communicate in English and other
1 13 languages has promoted and can further enhance Iowa's
1 14 economic, political, and cultural vitality, and contributes to
1 15 the state's productivity and nationwide competitiveness.
1 16 d. Fundamental values and state and national documents
1 17 ensure tolerance and respect for diversity and guarantee all
1 18 persons equal protection under the law.
1 19 e. A need exists for a vastly expanded network of
1 20 facilities for comprehensive English language instruction and
1 21 services to ensure that all persons in the state have the
1 22 ability to exercise the rights and responsibilities of full
1 23 participation in society. A need exists to offer English as a
1 24 primary language in classes at Iowa community colleges, state
1 25 universities, and public schools.
1 26 f. A need exists to foster multiple language skills among
1 27 all people in the state in order to promote Iowa's position in
1 28 the world marketplace and to strengthen Iowa's conduct of
1 29 relations with other countries.
1 30 g. A need exists to endorse the concept of English Plus in
1 31 order to promote public civility and the fundamental values
1 32 and objectives of society.
1 33 2. Laws containing restrictionist language shall not be
1 34 enacted in Iowa that will impede a citizen's right to vote,
1 35 infringe on a citizen's civil rights, foster governmental
2 1 interference in private activity and free commerce, or cause
2 2 social disunity.
2 3 EXPLANATION
2 4 This bill adds a new section to Code chapter 1 that states
2 5 that English is the primary language of the state of Iowa, but
2 6 also endorses the value of encouraging multiple language
2 7 skills among the state's citizens. The bill prohibits the
2 8 enactment of Code language that impedes a citizen's right to
2 9 vote, infringes on a citizen's civil rights, fosters
2 10 governmental interference in private activity and free
2 11 commerce, or causes social disunity.
2 12 LSB 2891HH 79
2 13 av/pj/5
Text: HF00464 Text: HF00466 Text: HF00400 - HF00499 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
Comments about this site or page?
webmaster@legis.iowa.gov.
Please remember that the person listed above does not vote on bills. Direct all comments concerning legislation to State Legislators.
Last update: Wed May 9 09:40:40 CDT 2001
URL: /DOCS/GA/79GA/Legislation/HF/00400/HF00465/010301.html
jhf