Jews Oppose
Law On Language
Jewish activists are oppos-
ing a bill to make English
the "official" language of
the United States.
Judy Golub, legislative di-
rector of the American Jew-
ish Committee, said the bill,
introduced by Rep. Bill
Emerson, R-Mo., "is an-
tithetical to our traditions,
to the operation of the
United States government
and to a nation that is
becoming increasingly di-
verse."
Opponents of the bill sup-
port something called
"English plus," which would
recognize the importance of
other languages in
pluralistic America.
"Nobody is challenging
the fact that English is the
primary language of the
United States," Ms. Golub
said. "But the ability to
communicate in other lang-
uages can contribute to our
economic and cultural vital-
ity." Noting that English-
only movements have been
popular during previous
economic declines, wars and
periods of high immigration,
Ms. Golub said "this bill is
less about language than
about what people see as
threats to the status quo."
Ms. Golob also feared that
this sort of law could hinder
the absorption of a new ge-
neration of Soviet Jews by
fueling anti-immigrant sen-
timent.
Whipping Support
For Guarantees
In September, pro-Israel
activists were stunned when
strong congressional support
for $10 billion in loan guar-
antees for Israel evaporated
before all-out White House
opposition.
So pro-Israel congressmen
are now setting up a "whip
system" in anticipation of
the re-introduction of the
loan guarantee legislation in
January. In congressional
parlance, that means organ-
izing a network of legislators
committed to beating the
bushes for votes when the
debate begins in earnest.
The goal is not just to pass
the measure, but to pass it
by a large enough margin to
intimidate an administra-
tion that still seems bent on
linking the guarantees to
Israel's settlements policies.
Pro-Israel forces are com-
ing to the conclusion that
the guarantees are doomed
unless the administration
can be enlisted in the effort,
or can be persuaded not to
oppose the measure.
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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
39