Capitol Monitor ....
Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Fourth District of Virginia 

July 20, 2007

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In this Issue

 1. Towards a United America

2. Digital Television Transition

 

 

:: Towards a United America ::  

 

The historic British leader Winston Churchill once said that the gift of a common tongue is a priceless inheritance. In the early years of our nation’s existence, we experienced a large and continual flood of immigrants from all over the world. Millions of individuals and families enthusiastically lined the country through the doors of Ellis Island to make their way into the United States of America—they were eager to do everything they could to become a part of our great nation.

And not only at Ellis Island, but continually throughout our history, we have experienced movements of people from other countries to America. The Louisiana Purchase brought French-speaking individuals and culture. The Mexican American War brought Spanish-speaking individuals and culture.

 

"Immigrants Landing at Ellis Island" By Brown Brothers, New York, NY, ca. 1900

Photo courtesy of the National Archives


From our nation’s birth and throughout all of this movement, the single common thread that has made one nation out of millions of immigrants is our English language. The English language has always been an important emblem of national pride for America. It created and has sustained our national identity.

 

But never before has the English language been under attack as it is today. There is a push from some immigrants and some American citizens to recreate our country as a multilingual nation. Unlike with the immigrants of days gone by, there is a growing lack of desire to learn the English language. There is a decrease in motivation for assimilation, despite the fact that it is often the quickest and most efficient way to become a part of America. Instead, we are beginning to hear cries of discrimination when state and federal governments and schools require the use of the English language on documents and forms and in classrooms. But without knowledge of our common language, there is a non-unified social reality and a lack of ability to communicate.

That’s why I have cosponsored two important pieces of legislation in the 110th Congress. The English Language Unity Act of 2007 would declare English as the official language of the United States and would establish that, throughout the history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the English language. It would also require English language testing standards for immigrants. These tests would be required to show that the individual can read and understand generally the English language.

Additionally, the National Language Act of 2007 would require that the U.S. government conduct all official business in English, including any publications, income tax forms, and informational materials. The purpose of the National Language Act is to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the U.S., and promote the idea of assimilating by learning the unifying language of America.

The purposes of these pieces of legislation are not to say that immigrants to our country should abandon their native roots. It is important for immigrant families to teach their children the importance of where they came from and encourage knowledge of their native language. Likewise, it is equally important for young Americans to study the language and culture of other nations so that they can become well-rounded and knowledgeable citizens. The purpose of the English Language Unity Act and the National Language Act is to encourage all residents to become fully proficient in English as the official language of the United States.

As a nation of immigrants created by a common thread of language, it is important that we protect the unity that the English language affords us. Without it, we will cease to be
e pluribus unum—one nation out of many.

 

 

:: Digital Television Transition ::

 

Strolling down the streets of Virginia on a breezy summer evening can be a relaxing diversion after a day of packed schedules and simmering heat. Shortly after sundown, the sky lights up with fireflies, and the only sound in the night’s air are the voices of families sitting down together for dinner. From the streets, one can see the faint glow of television seeping out of the windows of each house passed. In fact it is a rare occasion to pass by a house that does not have a television running in at least one bedroom. Television has become an entity in the lives of most Americans. Not simply for entertainment, TV is used for business, sports and provides an important news source.

Regardless of the ongoing debate over television’s impact on our lives, it is true that television has proven to be a dependable communication source, and recent legislation has taken measures to better present our media. Last February a bill was passed through Congress which will make television technology of the past obsolete. Digital Television Transition will eliminate the use of all analog televisions, to incorporate digital broadcasting, beginning February 17, 2009. Digital Television (DTV) technology, more flexible and efficient than analog, will become the new source for television broadcasting.

This impending switch to DTV will provide a sharp, high definition picture quality, and will enable multicasting, which provides several program streams simultaneously. Additionally, DTV offers a better signal reception and many new features that will come free for those who are affected in the conversion. Probably one of the most valuable things DTV will do is open valuable broadcasting frequencies, as analog television will be removed from the airways. This newly freed space will greatly advance other important services to our communities. Police, fire and other emergency rescue services will receive additional airspace for their emergency broadcasts and frequency communication, enabling more efficient and direct communication to assist those in need sooner.

The Digital Television Transition bill will also grant additional access to wireless equipment. Although this improvement will provide many benefits, it may cause a slight inconvenience to those who own analog televisions. Most people have television sets connected to cable, satellite, or other pay television service, or own televisions with a digital tuner. These televisions will fair well in the exchange. However, if a television has “rabbit ears” or requires another type of antenna, and has been purchased prior to 2002, it may need a digital converter. A digital-to-analog converter can plug into any analog television, and allow it to continue functioning with the new technology.

Although the new legislation will not be enforced until 2009 to provide people adequate time to update their televisions, a government program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, has been established to assist those who are financially unable to afford the converter. Beginning January 1, 2008, this program will be supplying $40-off coupons to applicants for the basic converters. Up to two converters may be requested per household. Requests for coupons will not be taken before January, and will expire after 90 days.

For more information about DTV, including a FAQ section, visit www.dtv.gov.

SPOTLIGHT ....

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