American Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Cleveland County lawmaker filed legislation recently which would designate English as the state's official language and eliminate requirements that state documents be bilingual.
With the legislative session only about a month away, state Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City, says her proposal will unify Oklahomans. "English is the language of our economy, our government and our educational system," she said. "I think my bill will bring people together."
Under Senate Bill 38, state agencies, local governments or other political subdivisions cannot be forced to provide any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any language other than English. However, those entities could provide materials in another language if they chose to do so.
"The concern here is the need to recognize that English is the language in which we conduct state business," Wilcoxson said. "This legislative proposal simply clarifies that need and places it in our statutes."
While Wilcoxson believes most residents of her district -- and the state -- appreciate her idea, representatives from at least one statewide organization said they would "probably oppose" the measure.
Shirley Cox, a representative of Catholic Charities and lobbyist for the Oklahoma City Catholic Archdiocese, said Oklahoma's 90,000-plus Catholics have, in the past, opposed similar proposals and will probably oppose Wilcoxson's bill.
"Generally, we've been against English-only legislation in the past," Cox said. "Though I haven't yet read the measure, I understand this bill is a little less onerous."
The church, Cox said, prefers to support English-plus type measures.
"We like to advocate English plus," she said. "That is, recognizing the importance of English while also recognizing the gifts of people who are bilingual. Bills like this tend to put up barriers for residents who have trouble speaking English but who are seeking state services."
According to current census data, more than 6 percent of the state's 3,547,884 residents claim Hispanic or Latino origin, and 7.4 percent of the state's population speaks a language other than English at home.
In Cleveland County, about 4.7 percent of the county's 224,898 residents are persons of Hispanic or Latino origin and 7.6 percent of the population speaks a language other than English at home.
In Oklahoma County the numbers are even higher; almost 11 percent of the county's 684,543 residents are persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 11.6 percent of county residents speak a language other than English at home.
Still, while Wilcoxson acknowledges the area's diverse population, she believes her proposal will help bring residents together. "We all should realize the necessity of learning and using English as our common language. It is something that brings us together. It is that unification that I want to promote with this legislation."
Cox disagrees.
"I don't know why people feel like we need to have an English only law," she said. "Everyone knows English is what we need to be learning; it's not like we're going to switch. Why should we put up barriers to state residents who are seeking government services?"
Wilcoxson's bill, Cox said, is actually an attempt to address current immigration issues. "I think it might be considered to be anti-immigrant. The bill isn't necessary," she said. "It tries to limit access to people seeking state services and that's not helping. All we're suggesting is that government not put up barriers for residents who are not fluent in English."
Wilcoxson says she's not trying to build barriers, but unite Oklahomans. "I feel that if a person wants to access government services they need to speak our language," she said.
With First Session of the 51st Legislature set to reconvene in early February, Wilcoxson said she "doesn't know yet" which Senate committee will review her proposal. "Right now, I have no idea where it will go. We just finished organizing and picking committee co-chairs, it's hasn't been a matter of discussion yet."
However, Wilcoxson said she did have a co-author for the bill -- state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, has agreed to carry the measure in the House of Representatives.
