Because language should bring us together rather than pull us apart, I am a cosponsor of a bill to make English the official language of the United States. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter King of New York, says that English will be the language used in government business.

I support this effort because I strongly believe in "the melting pot," which has allowed folks from all over the world to come to this nation to enjoy the fruits of its democracy and free enterprise system. This is the idea behind "E Pluribus Unum" the motto that appears on our coins and means "Out of many, one." Our nation has been a beacon to the world because citizens have been free to celebrate and retain their home cultures even as they learn the American way of life and our language: English. And the generations of immigrants who have come to our shores have made our nation a stronger, more diverse, richer -- and much better place.

Language should unite, not divide. For the good of all, let English be our language.