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Bush National Anthem should be sung in English
Associated Press
Apr. 28, 2006
In his press release, Alexander said the
Star-Spangled Banner has never before been rendered in another language.
But in
1919,
the U.S. Bureau of Education
commissioned a Spanish-language version
of The Star Spangled Banner. The State Departments website also features
four-separate
versions
of the anthem in Spanish. It appears xenophobia isn't part of the
American tradition.)
WASHINGTON - The national anthem should be sung in English - not Spanish -
President Bush declared Friday.
"One of the important things here is that we not lose our national soul," he
said.
A Spanish language version of the national anthem was released Friday by a
British music producer, Adam Kidron, who said he wanted to honor America's
immigrants. When the president was asked at a Rose Garden question-and-answer
session whether the anthem should be sung in Spanish, he
replied: "I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English. "
He made his remarks on the matters during a wide-ranging briefing with
reporters.
"I think people who want to be citizens of this country ought to learn English,"
Bush said.
The president's comments came amid a burgeoning national debate - and
congressional fight - over legislation pending in Congress, and pushed by Bush,
to overhaul U.S. immigration law. Large numbers of immigrant groups have planned
an economic boycott next week to dramatize their call for legislation providing
legal status for millions of people in the United States illegally.
"I am not a supporter of boycotts," Bush said. "I am a supporter of
comprehensive immigration reform. ... I think that most Americans agree that
we've got to enforce our border."
His remarks followed release of the Spanish language version of the song, called
"Nuestro Himno" or "Our Anthem."
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