"Many members of the House of Representatives believe that English should be declared the official language of the United States. HR 997, of which I am a co-sponsor, does just that. It establishes the affirmative obligation of the representatives of the Federal Government to preserve and enhance the role of the English language as the Government's official language.

To that end, the legislation requires the official functions of the Government to be conducted in English. Also, it requires a uniform English language testing standard for all persons who seek to become naturalized U.S. citizens, and it specifies that all naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in English.

To accomplish the objective of standard English language testing for naturalization, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon two principles: (1) that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Laws of the United States; and (2) that any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

The bill asserts that under general consideration of this Act, English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States.

Another bill that has been introduced in the House is the Mailing Support to Troops Act. It authorizes that there shall be free mailing privileges for mail matter sent by a family member from within an area served by a United States post office to members of the Armed Forces on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, or hospitalized at an Armed Forces facility as a result of such service. "Mail matter" is defined as letter mail or sound- or video-recorded communications having the character of personal correspondence.

Those of us who signed as cosponsors of this legislation believe that we should do all we can to facilitate families communicating with their loved ones who are fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and with those family members who have been injured in this war.

Please keep in touch with me on issues that are important to you. You may write

Congressman Virgil Goode, 70 East Court Street, Room 215, Rocky Mount, VA 24151; or fax to 1-540-484-1459; or call toll free to the Danville office, 1800-535-4008." (Rep. Virgil Goode, Reprinted from The Tribune, June 9, 2005)