Oklahoma Guidebook to be Printed in Spanish

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- For the first time, the state's strong and healthy Oklahoma guidebook will be printed in Spanish. But, your tax dollars are not paying for this project.

A private donation will pay for these books, printed in Spanish. While some at the Capitol want to stop providing documents in other languages, not everyone believes that's best for Oklahoma.

Blue Cross Blue Shield's getting a round of applause, thanks to the $154,000 donation. It will pay for 100,000 healthy guidebooks, all in Spanish.

"It's a growing population. It's an important and critical population and we are dedicated to moving the needle and improving the state of the state's health," said Bert Marshall, the President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

The book focuses on eating healthy, exercising and staying tobacco free.

"It sends out a message that we're included and that we matter and that we have value and that the greater community understands the value that we have," said Michael Brooks-Jimenez with the Latino Community Development Agency.

That is a message many in the Latino community say is much different than the one they hear at the state Capitol.

For years, Representative Randy Terrill has pushed for immigration reform and tried to amend the state constitution to make English the state's official language

Last session, his bill to let Oklahomans vote on the language issue passed. If voters want English only, that will stop the use of driving tests, state signs or documents in other languages and some translators.

"We need to encourage all immigrants, all people to learn the history, the culture, the tradition and most importantly the language, the common language which is and should be officially declared to be English," Rep. Randy Terrill said.

The end of tests or documents in Spanish is something people here don't want to see. Instead, they commend those who are doing just the opposite.

"It's encouraging when there are other messages that show an engagement and a tolerance and a willingness to reach out to the community instead of trying to alienate people," Michael Brooks-Jimenez said.

The healthy guidebooks in Spanish will be available next month at Oklahoma City and County Health Departments.

Voters won't decide if English should be the state's official language until November of 2010.