Friendswood officials, residents debate English as official language

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

(12/05/06 - FRIENDSWOOD, TX) -- Friendswood officials and residents are debating a proposed amendment to the city charter that would make English the city's official language.

Council member Chris Peden has proposed putting the measure to city voters on a May 12 ballot. At a Monday meeting, four City Council members said they support the amendment and would approve putting it to voters, while the remaining two members said they were opposed.

The measure would formalize the practice of conducting city meetings and printing city publications in English.

"Friendswood does not have a language problem in the city now," Peden said during a council meeting that drew about 80 residents. "I want to head this off before we do."

Peden said the proposal is not intended to limit people's access to government, but would specify that services would be provided in English first.

"It in no way indicates English only," he said. "Anyone who thinks that it would regulate how people speak ... that's just insane."

Council member Laura Ewing said the change would set a bad tone for the city.

"This has the potential for serious ramifications," she said. "There would be people that take this to extremes. Where do you draw the line?"

Hispanic leaders were also skeptical about the proposal, saying it would encourage discrimination.

"This ordinance, as innocent as it might seem, will send the wrong message," said Frank Ortiz, a Friendswood resident and former national vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens. "It will be misunderstood, and it will lead to discrimination and maybe lead to legal problems for the city."

He said LULAC might sue the city if it adopts the policy.

"We have discussed legal action," Ortiz said. "We're prepared. The question is, is Friendswood prepared?"

The debate in Friendswood, which is located about 20 miles southeast of Houston, follows last month's passage of a slate of anti-illegal immigration measures by the city council in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch.

Along with passing a resolution making English the official language, Farmers Branch required that property managers verify the immigration or citizenship status of apartment renters and allowed local police to enforce immigration laws.

Friendswood resident Sophia LeCour, who said she is an immigrant from Taiwan, argued that the Friendswood proposal would help motivate immigrants to learn English just as she did.

"Was it difficult (learning English)? Yes," she said. "But any individual or business that doesn't encourage the immigrant to learn English is just making it worse."

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