Official English Legislation Remains Popular in Texas, Survey Finds

78 percent of likely voters favor common language legislation
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
More than three-in-four Texans supports making English the
official language of the state according to a new poll from Zogby
International. The survey found that 78 percent of Lone Star State
residents favor legislation that would limit government
multilingualism and unite the state under the common language of
English. The poll, which was conducted from July 21-23, indicated that
just 20 percent of Texans oppose such a bill, with the remaining two
percent undecided.

The poll found strong support for an official English policy in
every region of the state, including 79 percent support in the Houston
metropolitan area and 77 percent support in Dallas. More than
nine-in-ten Republicans favored making English the official language
of the state, as did three-in-four Independents and six-in-ten
Democrats. The survey of 803 likely voters had a margin of error of
plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

During the 2007 legislative session, two measures were introduced
to make English the official language of Texas, H.J.R. 83 and H.B.
2205. These bills, the first official English-related measures to be
introduced in the Lone Star State in more than a decade, did not pass
out of committee before the session expired. Proponents have vowed to
re-introduce official English legislation when the legislature
convenes in early 2009. Currently, 30 states have adopted English as
the official language of the state.

"The strong support for official English legislation demonstrates
that Texas residents are looking for measures that bring people
together, not separate them along language lines," said Mauro E.
Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. "I look forward to working with
legislators to pass a bill that will promote sensible government and
English acquisition for the benefit of all Texans."

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan
citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of
the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late
Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English can be found on the web
at: www.usenglish.org

U.S. English, Inc.
Rob Toonkel, 202-833-0100

Copyright Business Wire 2008