GOVERNOR Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas state in the US has signed a bill into law

　　proclaiming English as the official language of the state.

　　According to the new law, “no state agency or political

　　or taxing subdivision of the state shall be required to provide any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any language other than

　　English”. Kansas becomes the 30th state overall in the US, and the third in seven months, to enact English as its official language, following Idaho in March and Arizona last November. The seven month span marks the shortest amount of time for three new states to adopt official English legislation since Montana, South Dakota and New Hampshire approved similar laws over three months in 1995.

　　Polls have shown enthusiastic support for official English among all segments of the American population. A 2006 poll found that 85 percent of Americans favor making English the official language of the US. Strong support for official English has also been demonstrated at the state and federal levels, raising the possibility for a 31st state before the end of the year. 21ST