FROM THE DESK OF

REPRESENTATIVE DE BOEF

February 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

In the first session I served with a very interesting man named Lee Rekow from Postville.  At the age of 55, he joined the Peace Corps and spent 2 years volunteering in Africa.  One thing Lee believed passionately was that we needed to pass the “English As the Official Language” bill.  Postville is a town that could be called a mini U. N. because of the many different ethnic groups that live there.  Lee was a City Council member in Postville and understood the importance of all immigrants learning English to succeed here.  He also stated, “believe me, when you are 55 and dropped all alone in the bush in Africa, it doesn’t take long to realize you need to learn the language.”

 

Recently the Civil Rights Commission requested, and committee chair Pam Jochum filed and assigned, the repeal of the Iowa English Language Reaffirmation Act.  The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Jochum and also includes Reps. Boal and Jacoby.

 

The stated purpose of the law passed in 2002 is to encourage every citizen of this state to become more proficient in the English language, thereby facilitating participation in the economic, political, and cultural activities of this state and of the United States.

 

Although former Governor Vilsack signed the bill into law, he later told fellow Democrats at the 2004 Democratic National Convention that it was a big mistake.

 

One common misconception about the Iowa English Language Reaffirmation  Act is that there are no exceptions to this law.  Code section 1.18(4) provides for the following exceptions:

• Teaching of languages;
• Requirements under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
• Actions, documents, or policies necessary for trade, tourism, or commerce;
• Actions or documents that protect the public health and safety;
• Actions or documents that facilitate activities pertaining to compiling any census of populations;
• Actions or documents that protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants.;
• Use of proper names, terms of art, or phrases from languages other than English;
• Any language usage required by or necessary to secure the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America or the Constitution of the State of Iowa Legislature
• Any oral or written communications, examinations, or publications produced or utilized by a driver’s license station, provided public safety is not jeopardized.

 

Since the passage of the bill in 2002, Reps. Ford and Hunter have sponsored bills to repeal the law.  The Republican- controlled legislature chose not to move any of the bills forward. 

 

In what appears to be an ominous pattern, Democrats are moving forward with controversial legislation that they did not campaign on during the fall and does not appear in the so-called “Plan for Prosperity.”  At this time it should be assumed that, until she publicly states differently, Rep. Jochum plans to move the bill forward.  Additionally, Governor  Culver has indicated his support for the  repeal of the English Language Reaffirmation Act.

 

I believe it would be a big mistake to repeal this law.

 

 

Visitors to the Capitol

 

Keokuk County Supervisor Ernie Greiner of Ollie visited on behalf of the Board of County Supervisors.

 

 

Question of the Week…

 

Do you support the repeal of the “English As the Official Language” law?

 

 

I would appreciate your input.  My phone number at the Capitol is 515-281-3221, or e-mail me at betty.deboef@legis.state.ia.us.  I would welcome visitors at the Capitol, too!