WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) has earned the highest rating from U.S. English, an “A” rating, for her efforts to make English the official language of the United States.  The pro-English language group has 1.8 million members nationwide.

“English is important to Americans’ history, our personal contact, and our ability to transact business in our country.  We have to preserve this part of our national identity, and I am very proud to receive this recognition from a group that feels as strongly about this issue as I do,” Emerson said.

U.S. English highlighted four legislative actions of Emerson’s: her cosponsorship of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, and three votes on the issue.  H.R. 997 is a bipartisan measure to require most official government business to be conducted in English, including hearings, public documents and records.

“I am pleased to present this award to Representative Emerson for her efforts to unite our diverse nation under the common language of English,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc.  “Rep. Emerson has been a strong supporter for official English policies during her time in Congress.  At a time when there is renewed interest toward preserving what unites us as a nation, we are grateful to Rep. Emerson for her dedicated and enthusiastic support of this issue.”

Emerson reiterated her continued support for advancing pro-English legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“More than 300 different languages are spoken in the United States, but English is the foundation of our ability to communicate well with one another.  It is extremely important to establish English as a language that unites us, not only with our past, but with one another,” Emerson said.