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Last Updated: Apr 9, 2007 - 12:46:40 AM |
WASHINGTON (AFP) -
President George W. Bush urged immigrants to the United States to master English in order to "better understand our national character and participate fully in American life."
"We also know that America has thrived as a nation because we've always welcomed newcomers, who in turn embrace our values and our way of life," the president said during a speech at a "Cinco de Mayo" celebration honoring Mexican and Mexican-American culture.
But, he said, "those who come here to start new lives in our country have a responsibility to understand what America is about, and the responsibility to learn the English language so they can better understand our national character and participate fully in American life."
Bush added: "Making this effort is also key to unlocking the opportunities of America, allowing new folks to rise in society and realize the American Dream."
The debate on mastering English has become a sideline to the ongoing controversy over proposed reform of US immigration laws, inflamed this week by the release of a Spanish-language version of the US national anthem.
Bush took a harsh view of "Nuestro Himno," recorded by Latin American and Caribbean artists including Wyclef Jean, Olga Tanon, Ivy Queen and Carlos Ponce.
"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English," Bush told reporters earlier this week.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration marked in many communities across the United States commemorates the battle victory in 1862 of the Mexican Army over occupying French troops.
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