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Quote by S. I. Hayakawa

“The great thing about the United States is our ability to absorb foreign people and make them a part of us.”

Quote by S. I. Hayakawa

Author

S. I. Hayakawa
S. I. Hayakawa

S. I. Hayakawa was a prominent figure in American politics, serving as a United States Senator from California. Born on July 18, 1906, and passing away on February 27, 1992, Hayakawa made significant contributions to the field of linguistics and education before entering politics. His career spanned various roles, including professor, author, and public servant. more

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“Though representatives of many ethnic groups came together in the United States, English became their common language. Apparently, this was a natural choice. One can imagine what would have happened if members of each nation moving to the U.S. had spoken only their own tongues and refused to learn English.”

“The United States, a land of immigrants from every corner of the world, has been strengthened and unified because its newcomers have historically chosen ultimately to forgo their native language for the English language. We have all benefited from the sharing of ideas, of cultures and beliefs, made possible by a common language. We have all enriched each other.”

“Our new immigrants must be part of our one America. After all, they're revitalizing our cities, they're energizing our culture, they're building up our economy. We have a responsibility to make them welcome here, and they have a responsibility to enter the mainstream of American life. That means learning English and learning about our democratic system of government. There are now long waiting lines of immigrants that are trying to do just that. Therefore, our budget significantly expands our efforts to help them meet their responsibility. I hope you will support it.”

“I want to say unequivocally that while I cherish every person who comes from anywhere, who comes here legally and seeks to pursue happiness, and I hope all of them decide to stay and become American citizens, but I want them to become American. And part of becoming American involved English. It is vital historically to assert and establish that English is the common language at the heart of our civilization.”