WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives today debated H.R. 9, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.
Congressman Spencer Bachus spoke on the Floor of the House in favor of an amendment to repeal the federal foreign language voting mandate.
Congressman Bachus made the following remarks:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Voting Rights Reauthorization, as an original co-sponsor. I also rise in support of this amendment.
“From the 1790’s to the 1970’s our forefathers came to this country – America – from across the globe. They spoke a multitude of languages. They became American citizens. They exercised their right to vote, and they did so in English.
“Teddy Roosevelt was right when he said, ‘There can be no divided allegiance here.... We have room for but one flag, the American flag.... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.’
“It was good enough for our forefathers, it was good enough for our grandparents and it should be good enough for us.
“There is a tradition in this country. For 180 years, we voted in English. That is the true American tradition and this amendment is true to our heritage – not what has existed unnaturally for the last 30 years.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
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