President supports anthem in English

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Immigrants who want to become U.S. citizens should learn English, President Bush said yesterday.

"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English, and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English, and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English," Mr. Bush said in response to a question about whether the anthem should be sung in Spanish.

A Spanish-language version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," rewritten to include lines such as, "My people keep fighting. It's time to break the chains," was released yesterday. It has infuriated those who say the anthem should only be sung in English.

"Would the French accept people singing the 'La Marseillaise' in English as a sign of French patriotism? Of course not," said Mark Krikorian, head of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that supports tighter immigration controls.

Mr. Krikorian said the Spanish-language "parody of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'" has not benefited those seeking looser immigration laws.

"It virtually guarantees an amnesty bill will not reach the president's desk this year," Mr. Krikorian said.

Called "Nuestro Himno" -- "Our Anthem" -- the song was released just ahead of pro-immigration protests planned around the country for Monday. With the event dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants," activists are urging immigrants to skip work and avoid spending money as they call for legislation to provide a path to legal status for millions of people in the U.S. illegally.

"It crossed the line in terms of being an insult to Americans. This country has been united by 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in English. Anything else is a serious affront," said K.C. McAlpin, executive director of ProEnglish.

The anthem debate is already ringing through the halls of Congress, which in 1931 made Francis Scott Key's composition the nation's song.

On Monday afternoon, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Tennessee Republican, will introduce a nonbinding resolution stating that the Senate feels the national anthem should indeed be sung in English.