Terrill Readies English-only Amendment

Rep. Randy Terrill of Moore said Tuesday he will propose an amendment making English the official language of Oklahoma.

He said he will offer the "official English" requirements in an amendment he plans to file to a Senate bill. It could be heard in a House committee as early as next week.

Terrill says the plan would require that all official state government business be conducted in English and would prevent the state from having to deliver taxpayer services in a language other than English.

The proposal would create a new constitutional amendment and would have to be approved by voters in a statewide referendum.

The measure provides exceptions for American Indian tribal languages. English-only legislation died last year after it was opposed by tribal officials.

Terrill's proposal comes shortly after U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe introduced new federal legislation to make English the national language of the United States. Answering continued calls for Congress to unite the country under the common language of English, Inhofe introduced S. 2715, the National Language Act of 2008, on March 6.

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