.Int.eresting logic lies behind a proposal for a constitutional amendment declaring English as the official language of the United States. Sen. S.I. I-Iayakawa RCalif., who introduced the amendment in the Senate. said the measure is needed ”t0 clarify the confusing signals we have given in recent years to immigrant groups.” The country has gotten along without the law for a long time. But the senator makes some good points in arguing for its need. For example. the requirements for naturalization as a citizen say a person must “read. write and speak words in ora dinary usage in the English language” Yet. I-layakawa notes. though you must be a citizen to vote. some rev cent legislation has required bilingual ballots in certain areas. Another case in pointBilingual education programs originally were intended to help nonEnglish speaking children learn the language quickly so they could join the mainstream of education. But in recent years the Carter Administration attempted to substantially broaden this mandate by proposing controversial requirements for schools to teach academic subjects entirely in students’ native tongues New Education Secretary T H. Bell withdrew the proposed bilingual rules a couple of months ago. Hayakawa told the Senate he proposed his amendment “because I believe that we are being dishonest with linguistic minority groups if we tell them they can take full part in American lite without learning the English language.” He said further: “As the son of an immigrant to an English-speaking country. I know that if I spoke no English. my world would be limited to the Japanesespeaking community. and no matter how talented I was. I could never do business. seek employment or take part in public affairs outside that community.”‘ The amendment would not prevent use of any other language within communities. churches or whatnot; ban second languages for purposes ot’ public convenience and safety; nor prevent schools and colleges from offering or requiring instruction in other languages. “The ability to forge unity from diversity makes our society strong.” the Californian declared “We need all the elements Germans. Hispanics. Hellenes. Italians. Chinese all the cultures that make our nation unique. But unless we have a common basis for communicating and sharing ideas. we all lose.” A constitutional amendment requires congressional passage and ratification of three-fourths of the state legislatures. I-low will Congress feel about the Hayakawa proposal’? Your input as citizens could help them decide.