America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to unite people of different backgrounds around common principles. A common language is necessary to reach that goal.

On June 4 1998 the House voted 224-203 with 7 abstentions in favor of it but it failed as a Constitutional amendment needing a 2/3 majority to pass. House of Representatives


1992 election
In the 1992 Republican primary Istook challenged and defeated incumbent Deputy House Minority Whip Mickey Edwards in a three-way primary that also featured former federal prosecutor Bill Price. He was the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2006 running against incumbent Democratic Gov.

5%. Currently Istook is a DistinguiErnest Istookd Fellow at The Heritage Foundation in Washington D. Ernest James Istook Jr.