Conservatives in Texas are speaking out against the "language of living in a ghetto."

Texas Congressman Lamar Smith may consider a congressional hearing on legislation that would make English the national language, according to a news report from WOAI in San Antonio. The legislation, HR 997 - better known as the English Language Unity Act - has gained attention in recent weeks as GOP presidential candidates have raised the issue on the campaign trail. Governor Rick Perry voiced support for English as the national language before dropping out of the race.

During the Floriday GOP debate a few weeks ago, Newt Gingrich came under attack for an old remark he made supporting English as an official language as a defense against the language of living in a ghetto:

“The American people believe English should be the official language of the government. … We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto…”

Congressman Lamar Smith should not be voicing his support for this pointless legislation. Proponents of English as the official language legislation are also opposed to printing government materials in Spanish, including ballots. And all this comes at a time when the Latino population in Texas continues to explode.

You can e-mail Lamar Smith and tell him you don't think there should be a hearing on a bill to make English the official language, or you may contact him at any of the offices listed below:

Washington, DC Office
Phone: 202-225-4236

San Antonio District Office
Phone: 210-821-5024

Kerrville District Office
Phone: 830-896-0154

Austin District Office
Phone: 512-306-0439