ProEnglish
Encyclopedia
ProEnglish is an American non-profit lobbying organization that supports making English the official language of the United States
.
under the name English Language Advocates and later renamed ProEnglish, ProEnglish's first project was defending an official English initiative passed by the voters of Arizona
, after the State of Arizona declined to appeal a decision overturning the initiative in federal court. Its first Chairman was Robert D. Park and its Executive Director was K.C. McAlpin.
In addition to conducting research on a wide variety of public education activities to advance its goals, ProEnglish has helped provide pro bono
legal assistance to public and private agencies facing litigation or regulatory actions over language. ProEnglish also offers a free advocacy service from its website allowing its supporters to email, call, write, and fax their members of Congress.
ProEnglish shares Arlington County, Virginia
office space with NumbersUSA
.
, which states that any entity which receives federal funds must provide whatever services it offers in any foreign language spoken by anyone likely to receive those services.
declaring English the official language of the city. Initially, Metro Councilman Eric Crafton
remarked that "90% of the donors were individuals who had given $100 or less," but it was later confirmed that over 91% of the funding came from Arlington Virginia based ProEnglish. The referendum was defeated on January 22, 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Background
Founded in 1994 by John TantonJohn Tanton
John H. Tanton, M.D., is a retired ophthalmologist from Petoskey, Michigan, and an influential activist in efforts aimed at reducing immigration levels in the United States. He was organizer and first chairman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform , a non-profit educational group that...
under the name English Language Advocates and later renamed ProEnglish, ProEnglish's first project was defending an official English initiative passed by the voters of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, after the State of Arizona declined to appeal a decision overturning the initiative in federal court. Its first Chairman was Robert D. Park and its Executive Director was K.C. McAlpin.
In addition to conducting research on a wide variety of public education activities to advance its goals, ProEnglish has helped provide pro bono
Pro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
legal assistance to public and private agencies facing litigation or regulatory actions over language. ProEnglish also offers a free advocacy service from its website allowing its supporters to email, call, write, and fax their members of Congress.
Leadership and structure
ProEnglish is a self-governing project of U.S. Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, with a three-star rating for organizational efficiency from Charity Navigator. Its leadership structure consists of an eight member board, chaired by Dr. Rosalie Porter. Robert Vandervoort is the organization's current Executive Director.ProEnglish shares Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
office space with NumbersUSA
NumbersUSA
NumbersUSA is an immigration reduction organization that seeks to reduce US immigration levels to pre-1965 levels without country of origin quotas as established in the Immigration Act of 1924. It advocates for immigration reduction through user-generated fax, email, and direct mail campaigns...
.
Projects
According to their website, ProEnglish is currently engaged in several long-term projects that promote the use of English as the sole unifying language of the United States. First among these is repealing Executive Order 13166Executive Order 13166
On August 11, 2000, United States President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency”...
, which states that any entity which receives federal funds must provide whatever services it offers in any foreign language spoken by anyone likely to receive those services.
Nashville English-only Campaign Funding
During the fall and winter of 2008 ProEnglish donated $82,500 out of the $89,722.76 raised by local English-only advocacy group Nashville English First, to support a referendum concerning a charter amendmentNashville Referendum Election on Proposed Charter Amendments (January 2009)
Nashville Charter Amendment 1 of 2009 was a proposed amendment to the charter of Nashville, Tennessee which, if passed, would have restricted the use of foreign languages in relation to the functions of the city government...
declaring English the official language of the city. Initially, Metro Councilman Eric Crafton
Eric Crafton
Eric Crafton is a member of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, representing the 22nd district.-Education and career:Eric Crafton is the Vice Chair of the Convention and Tourism Committee...
remarked that "90% of the donors were individuals who had given $100 or less," but it was later confirmed that over 91% of the funding came from Arlington Virginia based ProEnglish. The referendum was defeated on January 22, 2009.
External links
- ProEnglish site
- Profile: ProEnglish, Right Web.