Group Condemns Proposal Human Relations Task Force Attacks ‘Official English’ Notion

The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations condemns a local push for state Republicans to endorse English as Idaho’s official language.

“It sends a message that would undo all the hard work … that shows we are a state and a community that welcome everyone,” task force vice president Judy Whatley said Thursday.

The group voted unanimously to oppose Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin’s “official English” resolution, which a committee will debate at the GOP state convention June 18-20 at North Idaho College.

The proposal also urges the state Legislature to adopt English as the official government language and mandate that all state business be conducted, and all state publications be written, only in English.

“Their opinion is worth almost as much as the recycled paper it’s printed on,” Rankin said. “I don’t know what these folks are thinking about trying to influence the Republican Party.”

Kootenai County adopted a similar resolution last spring. About two dozen states have enacted “official English” laws during the past two years.

Whatley said it’s sad that Rankin is adding to Idaho’s negative image - especially, she added, when Republican Gov. Phil Batt is such a staunch human rights supporter.

“I would say it behooves the Republicans to vote it down if they want to really reflect what their governor is saying,” Whatley said.

But Rankin argues that most of Idaho’s congressional delegation, including gubernatorial candidate Sen. Dirk Kempthorne, supports the “official English” proposal.

Kempthorne wasn’t available for comment.

Kootenai County Republican Chairwoman Kathy Sims said Idaho Republicans should have the opportunity to debate the proposal.

“I think it’s being discussed all over the country,” said Sims, who said she hasn’t seen Rankin’s proposal. “I just got back from San Francisco, and it’s a huge topic there.”

Delegates to the state convention will be chosen after this month’s primary election. Sims, who also is the state party’s vice chairwoman, said 447 delegates and alternates will attend the June convention.