LJWorld.com

Topeka — Supporters of declaring English the official language of Kansas said Wednesday it would help immigrants succeed, but opponents said the legislation was an insult.

"This bill is a slap in the face of all the good people of this state -- loyal Americans, loyal Kansans -- who happen to speak languages other than English," Phillip DeLaTorre of Lawrence told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.

But state Rep. Mario Goico, R-Wichita, said, "What this bill will do is unlock the door and allow people to thrive."

House Bill 2140 was approved by the House and is now being considered in the Senate. Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, chairman of the Federal and State Affairs Committee, said the panel will consider the measure next week.

During a hearing on the proposal Wednesday, both sides squared off.

State Rep. Don Myers, R-Derby, who was the main sponsor of the legislation, said the major point of the bill was to emphasize to immigrants the importance of learning English as a way to succeed in American society.

But opponents said immigrants already understand the importance of learning English and often go to great lengths to learn the language.

DeLaTorre said his grandparents spoke Spanish, but his parents decided not to teach Spanish to himself and his siblings.

"They did not need the Legislature to tell them that they should learn to speak English, and they did not need the state government's help in deciding what language to teach their kids," he said.

He added; "There is no need for this Legislature to declare an `official' language for the state of Kansas, any more than there is any need for this Legislature to declare an `official' race or an `official' skin color for the state of Kansas."

Tim Schultz, director of government relations for the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. English Inc., however, said Americans overwhelmingly support making English the official language.

And, he said, because of the high numbers of immigrants, government policy should be to advance their knowledge of English as quickly as possible.

"Immigrants need to learn English if they are going to really make it in America," Schultz said.

State Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, urged approval of the bill because she said an amendment added in the House would provide $500,000 in English adult education classes. That amendment, however, is subject to appropriations by the Legislature.

But opponents of the bill said the proposed funds for English classes could be considered in legislation separate from the official English proposal.

Melinda Lewis, director of policy advocacy and research for El Centro Inc. in Kansas City, Kan., urged the committee to consider an "English-Plus" approach, which would recognizes English as the predominant language but affirm the importance of other languages.

The current bill, she said, "is a symbol that says more about our fears and prejudices than it does about any real effort to address a challenge facing our state."