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In a historic move that came as part of its consideration of a comprehensive immigration reform, the Senate Thursday voted to make English the national language of the United States.

The lopsided 63-34 vote came after an impassioned debate in which the word "racist" was used on the Senate floor to describe the effort.

It was the first time in U.S. history that the Senate had passed such legislation. More negotiations on the final bill are expected, but if a "national language" measure cleared both the Senate and House and was signed by President Bush, it could mean a greater emphasis on the federal government providing its services in English.

The vote also appeared to be an important moment of reaction against multiculturalism in the United States.

In recent weeks, massive protests across the United States by supporters of immigrant rights have pointed to America's increasingly polyglot future. But the Senate's action appeared to be a reassertion of the nation's English heritage.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14614255.htm

[ 19 May 2006: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]

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Originally posted by N.Beltov:
Interesting that you'd use the occasion of an attack on people whose first language isn't English in one country for an implied criticism of people defending their language against English in another country. What is that - solidarity with bigots?

[ 19 May 2006: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]

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