Politics

Cherokee chief protests English-only hearing

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Cherokee Nation Chief Chad Smith interrupted a hearing on a bill that would make English the official language of Oklahoma after he was denied a chance to speak.

Smith said he was outraged by the comments of state Rep. Randy Terrill, a Republican who is sponsoring the bill. "It's the most patronizing, paternalistic comment by an Oklahoma lawmaker, that we're going to take care of you by forcibly assimilating you," Smith told The Tulsa World following the hearing.

But when he attempted to talk about the bill, he was threatened with removal. "I'm sorry, this is not an open forum," said Rep. Guy Liebmann, a Republican, the Associated Press reported.

At the hearing, Terrill said Senate Bill 163 creates a state policy in line "with what should be our federal government's policy for all immigrants, and that's one of assimilation." The bill bars the use of any language besides English for driver's license tests and other state business.

Opposition from Smith and other tribal leaders derailed a similar English-only bill last year. So Terrill included a provision that exempts Native languages. The House General Government and Transportation Committee approved the new bill by a 11-5 vote.

Terrill previously authored House Bill 1804, which forces businesses to verity the legal status of their workers. Tribes appear to be exempt from the new law.

Get the Story:
Call for vote on English advances (The Tulsa World 4/3)
Official English legislation passes House committee following tense hearing (AP 4/2)
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