Senate Bill 2272

AN ACT TO AFFIRM THAT STATEMENTS OF NATIONAL UNITY MADE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, SHALL BE RECITED OR SUNG IN ENGLISH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, Francis Scott Key wrote the words of the Star-Spangled Banner in English in 1814, inspired by the sight of the American Flag still waving at Fort McHenry after 25 hours of continual bombardment by British Forces; and

WHEREAS, Congress declared the Star-Spangled Banner the National Anthem of the United States in 1931 (Section 301 of Title 3, United States Code); and

WHEREAS, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States, written in English, was first specified in law by Congress in 1942 (Section 4 of Title 4, United States Code); and

WHEREAS, the Oath of Allegiance, to which lawful permanent residents swear upon becoming citizens of the United States (as required under Section 337 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 USC 1448), and the Oath of Office for public officers and legislators in the State of Mississippi prescribed in Sections 40 and 268, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, are based, in part, on language originally written in English by General George Washington and sworn by him and his general officers at Valley Forge in 1778; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of Americans are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants, proud of their ancestral country, but prouder still to be American; and

WHEREAS, millions of Americans speak or study additional languages, but English is their common language; and

WHEREAS, the original national motto of the United States, `E Pluribus Unum', meaning `from many, one', signifies the coming together of people from many foreign countries to form one Nation, was incorporated into the Great Seal of the United States in 1776, is printed on currency of the United States, and inscribed on the wall of the Senate chamber; and

WHEREAS, the people of the United States are united not by race, ancestry or origin, but by a common language, English, and by common belief in the principles prescribed in the founding documents of the Nation, especially the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, to become citizens of the United States, under Sections 312 and 337 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1423 and 1448), lawful permanent residents of the United States who have immigrated from foreign countries must, among other requirements, renounce allegiance to the government of their country of origin, swear allegiance to the laws and Constitution of the United States, and demonstrate an understanding of the English language; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The State of Mississippi affirms that statements or songs that symbolize the unity of the Nation, including the National Anthem, the Oath of Allegiance sworn by new United States citizens, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States, when made or performed in the State of Mississippi, shall be recited or sung in English, the common language of the United States.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.