EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, The English language is the most widely used language in

1-2 the area of finance, trade, technology, diplomacy and entertainment, and is

1-3 the living library of the last 100 years of scientific and technological

1-4 advances; and

1-5 Whereas, There are more persons who speak English as a second

1-6 language in the world than there are native speakers of English, and the

1-7 numerous schools that teach English around the world demonstrate that the

1-8 English language is soon to become the prevalent language used

1-9 throughout the world; and

1-10 Whereas, According to the 1990 decennial census, 94 percent of the

1-11 citizens of the United States speak English; and

1-12 Whereas, It is universally accepted that a common language promotes

1-13 unity and fosters better communication; and

1-14 Whereas, During the 20th century a renaissance in cultural

1-15 assertiveness around the world has developed, and the more interdependent

1-16 nations have become economically, the more interested the nations are in

1-17 preserving and sharing cultural identities; and

2-1 Whereas, Many American Indian languages are indigenous to the

2-2 United States and should be preserved, encouraged and utilized, as these

2-3 languages were used during World War II when the Navajo Code Talkers

2-4 created a code that could not be broken by the Japanese or the Germans;

2-5 and

2-6 Whereas, Knowledge of the different languages existing in today’s

2-7 world enhances competitiveness and growth in world trade and promotes

2-8 economic expansion by the creation of regional trading blocs such as the

2-9 North American Free Trade Agreement and the Association of Southeast

2-10 Asian Nations; and

2-11 Whereas, A skilled labor force is crucial to the competitiveness of the

2-12 State of Nevada in today’s national and global economy, and a knowledge

2-13 of foreign languages enhances communication and diplomatic efforts by

2-14 fostering greater communication and understanding between nations and

2-15 can promote a greater understanding between different ethnic and racial

2-16 groups within the United States; now, therefore, be it

2-17 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-18 Concurring, That the members of the Nevada Legislature do hereby:

2-19 1. Support and encourage Nevadans to master the English language

2-20 and other languages;

2-21 2. Recognize the importance of English as the unifying language of

2-22 the United States and the importance of English fluency for citizens who

2-23 desire to succeed in American society;

2-24 3. Recognize that a command of the English language is a critical

2-25 component of the success and productivity of the children in Nevada and

2-26 should be encouraged at all ages;

2-27 4. Recognize that a skilled labor force is crucial to Nevada’s

2-28 competitiveness in a global economy and the ability to speak one or more

2-29 languages in addition to English is a significant skill;

2-30 5. Recognize that knowledge of the Spanish language, in particular, is

2-31 vital for building future cultural and economic bridges to Latin America;

2-32 and

2-33 6. Support educational programs designed to teach English as well as

2-34 other foreign languages; and be it further

2-35 Resolved, That the residents of the State of Nevada are hereby

2-36 encouraged to take advantage of all educational opportunities to realize

2-37 their potential in the mastery of the English language and other languages.