text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Bill Emerson English Language 
  Empowerment Act of 1997''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      The Congress finds and declares the following:
              (1) The United States is comprised of individuals and 
          groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic 
          backgrounds.
              (2) The United States has benefited and continues to 
          benefit from this rich diversity.
              (3) Throughout the history of the United States, the common 
          thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been a 
          common language.
              (4) In order to preserve unity in diversity, and to prevent 
          division along linguistic lines, the Federal Government should 
          maintain a language common to all people.
              (5) English has historically been the common language and 
          the language of opportunity in the United States.
              (6) The purpose of this title is to help immigrants better 
          assimilate and take full advantage of economic and occupational 
          opportunities in the United States.
              (7) By learning the English language, immigrants will be 
          empowered with the language skills and literacy necessary to 
          become responsible citizens and productive workers in the 
          United States.
              (8) The use of a single common language in conducting 
          official businesss of the Federal Government will promote 
          efficiency and fairness to all people.
              (9) English should be recognized in law as the language of 
          official business of the Federal Government.
              (10) Any monetary savings derived from the enactment of 
          this title should be used for the teaching of the English 
          language to non-English-speaking immigrants.
  
  SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
  
      (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding 
  at the end the following new chapter:
  
              ``CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
  
  ``Sec.
  ``161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government.
  ``162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
  ``163. Official Federal Government activities in English.
  ``164. Standing.
  ``165. Reform of naturalization requirements.
  ``166. Application.
  ``167. Rule of construction.
  ``168. Affirmation of constitutional protections.
  ``169. Definitions.
  ``Sec. 161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government
      ``The official language of the Federal Government is English.
  ``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
      ``Representatives of the Federal Government shall have an 
  affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as 
  the official language of the Federal Government. Such obligation shall 
  include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the 
  English language.
  ``Sec. 163. Official Federal Government activities in English
      ``(a) Conduct of Business.--Representatives of the Federal 
  Government shall conduct its official business in English.
      ``(b) Denial of Services.--No person shall be denied services, 
  assistance, or facilities, directly or indirectly provided by the 
  Federal Government solely because the person communicates in English.
      ``(c) Entitlement.--Every person in the United States is entitled--
              ``(1) to communicate with representatives of the Federal 
          Government in English;
              ``(2) to receive information from or contribute information 
          to the Federal Government in English; and
              ``(3) to be informed of or be subject to official orders in 
          English.
  ``Sec. 164. Standing
      ``A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil 
  action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain 
  appropriate relief.
  ``Sec. 165. Reform of naturalization requirements
      ``(a) Fluency.--It has been the longstanding national belief that 
  full citizenship in the United States requires fluency in English. 
  English is the language of opportunity for all immigrants to take their 
  rightful place in society in the United States.
      ``(b) Ceremonies.--All authorized officials shall conduct all 
  naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.
  ``Sec. 166. Application
      ``Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of 
  this chapter shall supersede any existing Federal law that contravenes 
  such provisions (such as by requiring the use of a language other than 
  English for official business of the Federal Government).
  ``Sec. 167. Rule of construction
      ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
              ``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or an employee or 
          official of the Federal Government, while performing official 
          business, from communicating orally with another person in a 
          language other than English;
              ``(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or 
          Native American languages (as defined in the Native American 
          Languages Act);
              ``(3) to discriminate against or restrict the rights of any 
          individual in the country; and
              ``(4) to discourage or prevent the use of languages other 
          than English in any nonofficial capacity.
  ``Sec. 168. Affirmation of constitutional protections
      ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to be inconsistent 
  with the Constitution of the United States.
  ``Sec. 169. Definitions
      ``For purposes of this chapter:
              ``(1) Federal government.--The term `Federal Government' 
          means all branches of the national Government and all employees 
          and officials of the national Government while performing 
          official business.
              ``(2) Official business.--The term `official business' 
          means governmental actions, documents, or policies which are 
          enforceable with the full weight and authority of the Federal 
          Government, and includes publications, income tax forms, and 
          informational materials, but does not include--
                      ``(A) teaching of languages;
                      ``(B) requirements under the Individuals with 
                  Disabilities Education Act;
                      ``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary 
                  for--
                              ``(i) national security issues; or
                              ``(ii) international relations, trade, or 
                          commerce;
                      ``(D) actions or documents that protect the public 
                  health and safety;
                      ``(E) actions or documents that facilitate the 
                  activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any 
                  census of population;
                      ``(F) actions, documents, or policies that are not 
                  enforceable in the United States;
                      ``(G) actions that protect the rights of victims of 
                  crimes or criminal defendants;
                      ``(H) actions in which the United States has 
                  initiated a civil lawsuit; or
                      ``(I) using terms of art or phrases from languages 
                  other than English.
              ``(3) United states.--The term `United States' means the 
          several States and the District of Columbia.''.
      (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 4, 
  United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
  item:
  
  ``6. Language of the Federal Government.....................     161''.
  
  SEC. 4. PREEMPTION.
  
      This title (and the amendments made by this title) shall not 
  preempt any law of any State.
  
  SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
  
      The amendments made by section 3 shall take effect on the date that 
  is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
target: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the U.S. Government.  States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government.  Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. 
  Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.   Directs that nothing in this Act construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages. 
  Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act.
feat_title: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997