Date: 04/25/2006

Final
SUMMARY for HCR06-1008

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment H). Th
Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Concurrent Re
Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008		Pass Without Objection
PASS
FAIL


05:16 PM -- House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008

Representative Schultheis, prime sponsor, provided background for House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008, concerning a requirement that English be the official language of public entities in the state. Representative Schultheis detailed the provisions of the resolution, as well as the effect of some forthcoming amendments to the resolution. Discussion ensued regarding assimilation into American culture, potential separatism in the province of Quebec, and a provision in the resolution requiring the purchase of English texts by public libraries. Representative Schultheis explained his intended outcome should House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008 pass. Discussion followed regarding the utility of knowing more than one language and the impact of the resolution on a person's ability to communicate in the language of his or her choosing.


05:34 PM

The following people testified regarding House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008:


05:34 PM -- Mr. Tim Schultz, representing U.S. English Incorporated, testified in favor of the concurrent resolution. Mr. Schultz provided background regarding his organization, and expressed the need for government agencies to do business in one language. Mr. Schultz explained the problems encountered by those who do not speak English in the United States. Mr. Schultz cited statistics pointing to the fact that immigrant populations are not learning English over time and preemptively addressed claims that the resolution would lead to anti-immigrant sentiment. Discussion ensued regarding the loss of languages by certain Native American populations, the effect of creating isolated communities of non-English speaking people, and the effects of maintaining a multi-lingual society.


05:53 PM

Mr. Schultz explained the term "English proficiency" as defined by the U.S. Census and discussed legislation similar to House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008 in other states. Discussion ensued regarding the process by which the resolution was drafted and the effect of the resolution on the learning of English by non-English speaking people in the Colorado.


06:03 PM

Mr. Schultz responded to a question regarding his view of what constitutes "American values."


06:08 PM -- Ms. Adrienne Benavidez, representing the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Color of Justice, testified in opposition to House Concurrent 06-1008. Ms. Benavidez provided some historical background regarding the use of language in the United States. Ms. Benavidez then explained how the resolution violates certain constitutional protections.


06:14 PM -- Mr. Mark O'Brien, representing Coloradans for Immigrant Rights, testified in opposition to the resolution, stating that he feels the resolution is punitive and prejudicial. Mr. O'Brien explained how the resolution would create an impediment to the equal access to government services.


06:16 PM -- Mr. Frosty Wooldridge, representing himself, testified in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 06-1003. Mr. Wooldridge explained the need for the nation to have a common language in order to function and maintain cohesiveness. Discussion ensued regarding strife caused in various countries due to the failure of immigrant populations to assimilate and the failure to use one language. Mr. Wooldridge discussed the potential impact of not using a single language in the country.


06:36 PM -- Mr. Gregory Staritsky, representing himself, testified regarding the resolution. Mr. Staritsky discussed the history of international law as it pertains to diversity.


06:39 PM

Representative Schultheis moved moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment H).
BILL:HCR 1008
TIME: 06:45:52 PM
MOVED:Schultheis
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment H). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Crane
VOTE
Cadman
Carroll T.
Coleman
Crane
Gallegos
Liston
Lundberg
Schultheis
Todd
Ragsdale
Weissmann
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



06:40 PM

Representative Schultheis moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008 to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee discussed the fiscal note. Representative Cadman commented on the positive aspects of communicating in a common language. The committee discussed the negative consequences of placing the language of the concurrent resolution in the state constitution as opposed to statute.

BILL:HCR 1008
TIME: 06:47:11 PM
MOVED:Schultheis
MOTION:Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a 5-6 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Cadman
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Carroll T.
No
Coleman
No
Crane
Yes
Gallegos
No
Liston
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Todd
No
Ragsdale
No
Weissmann
No
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HCR 1008
TIME: 06:48:58 PM
MOVED:Carroll T.
MOTION:Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Concurrent Resolution 06-1008. The motion passed on a 6-5 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Coleman
VOTE
Cadman
No
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
No
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
No
Lundberg
No
Schultheis
No
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS