Jefferson City - From the 1998 Project Vote Smart survey to his vote against SB374 on April 18, 1991 that stated: “The English language is the official language of the state of Missouri”, Nixon has spent much of his career standing against those who believe that English should be the official language of the United States. Earlier this week at a campaign event in Georgia, Barack Obama took a page from the Jay Nixon political handbook when he told the audience, "Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English . . . you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish."

"Like Barack Obama, his candidate for President, Jay Nixon is far out of touch with Missourians. Most know that English as our common national language is fundamental to American culture, way of life, and the economy.

"The Obama-Nixon partnership on this issue became even more evident this week when Barack Obama said in Georgia that Americans should stop worrying about whether immigrants are learning English, and instead ‘worry about whether our children can speak Spanish.’ He then ridiculed the skills of Americans who travel abroad.

"Nixon already has refused to support English as the official language in a campaign survey, is trying to duck questions on the issue, and has even endorsed taxpayer-funded welfare for illegal immigrants.

"I believe that English should be the official language of the United States and Missouri. I strongly supported passage of House Joint Resolution 7, which, if adopted at the polls in November, will require that English be the language of all official proceedings in Missouri.

"English is the language of economic opportunity here and elsewhere. We do no favor to new Americans by making it easy from them to bypass the assimilation that opened the door to success for every prior group of immigrants. The Obama-Nixon disrespect for English as the common language of opportunity and Americanization is a far left view that is quite distant from the mainstream in Missouri."