Charles T. Canady: “American society has developed on the melting pot theory. We are a nation of immigrants from diverse backgrounds and…”

“American society has developed on the melting pot theory. We are a nation of immigrants from diverse backgrounds and cultures who have come together as one people, the American people. Learning to communicate in English is one of the most important ways in which this coming together, the transformation from the many to one, takes place. Of necessity, each of us or our forefathers have had to learn English in order to succeed. As Americans, we all value our heritage, but we also recognize that as Americans, we must become proficient in English if we are to fully participate in all facets of American life. The 1975 bilingual ballot amendments to the Voting Rights Act have had the effect, whether intended or not, of encouraging minority language dependency and therefore self-imposed segregation, both politically and culturally. English is our common language of discourse. In recognition of this fact, now more than ever, the Federal Government has a responsibility to look for things to bring us together as a nation and unify us rather than encouraging further separation along ethnic lines.”