Entitled the "English Plus Resolution".
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Feb 2003): Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
What this bill does
This concurrent resolution, titled the "English Plus Resolution," expresses the sense of Congress regarding language policies in the United States. It acknowledges English as the primary language of the nation and emphasizes its importance. However, the resolution also states that the U.S. should conserve and develop linguistic resources by encouraging residents to learn or maintain languages other than English. It supports efforts to prevent the extinction of Native American languages and cultures.
The resolution would affect all residents of the United States by promoting proficiency in English through expanded educational opportunities. It also advocates for continued provision of government services in languages other than English to ensure access to essential functions, public health, safety, and equal educational opportunities. The resolution explicitly opposes "English-only" measures.
Introduced in the House of Representatives on January 7, 2003, by Representative Serrano, the bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Its latest action was being referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform on February 21, 2003. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the opinion of both the House and the Senate but does not require the President's signature and does not have the force of law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should pursue policies that: (1) encourage all residents of this country to become fully proficient in English by expanding educational opportunities and access to information technologies; (2) conserve and develop the Nation's linguistic resources by encouraging all residents to learn or maintain skills in a language other than English; (3) assist Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and other peoples indigenous to the United States in their efforts to prevent the extinction of their languages and cultures; (4) continue to provide services in languages other than English as needed to facilitate access to essential functions of government, promote public health and safety, ensure due process, promote equal educational opportunity, and protect fundamental rights; and (5) recognize the importance of multilingualism to vital national interests and individual rights, and oppose "English-only" measures and similar language restrictionist measures.
Timeline
21 Feb 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
Common questions
- What does H.Con.Res. 5 do?
- This concurrent resolution, titled the "English Plus Resolution," expresses the sense of Congress regarding language policies in the United States. It acknowledges English as the primary language of the nation and emphasizes its importance. However, the resolution also states that the U.S. should conserve and develop linguistic resources by encouraging residents to learn or maintain languages other than English. It supports efforts to prevent the extinction of Native American languages and cultures. The resolution would affect all residents of the United States by promoting proficiency in English through expanded educational opportunities. It also advocates for continued provision of government services in languages other than English to ensure access to essential functions, public health, safety, and equal educational opportunities. The resolution explicitly opposes "English-only" measures. Introduced in the House of Representatives on January 7, 2003, by Representative Serrano, the bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Its latest action was being referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform on February 21, 2003. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the opinion of both the House and the Senate but does not require the President's signature and does not have the force of law.
- Has H.Con.Res. 5 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.Con.Res. 5. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.Con.Res. 5?
- H.Con.Res. 5 was sponsored by Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-16] (D-NY), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.Con.Res. 5?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform. (21 Feb 2003).
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