His greatest pride was his family. He had 7 children, 29 grandchildren, and to many great grandchildren to count. All of whom he had a bond with that will live on after his death. He taught all of us the value of work. If we came to visit we came to work. Whether it was cleaning stalls or picking rocks out of the field he always had things for us to do.

At the center of his life was a love of the Gospel. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was always willing to share his faith with others. He served two missions for the Church both of which helped many come to Christ. It’s his love of the Gospel that comforts me, because I know that he is in Heaven now and that I will see him again.

He was a cowboy if their ever was one. He loved to rope and built a large arena to do so. He held large rodeos that brought people from around the nation. Although their was some good prizes people came for the fun of it. They came because they loved him and enjoyed his company. At times a stress to his wife he would always open up his home for his guests to stay.

He was a true American. He knew poverty and worked his way out of it, without the help of the government. He was active in the community. He gave any chance he could. He helped his neighbor in time of need. When a neighbor’s house was destroyed in a fire, he helped build a new one. When someone needed financial help he would give it. He never asked for anything in return.

Blane I love you and will miss you deeply.  

    English only laws are one of the most misunderstood issues of our time. Conservatives say they protect national security and save money. While Liberals say they are racist and unconstitutional (as if they even know what the constitution is). Although I can only really speak for myself on this issue, it is my goal to shed some light on why English only laws are important to us as Americans; on a larger scale, any nation should settle on one language.
    Currently bilingual laws require schools to teach students in their native language. Talk to any Educator, all will agree that schools are under funded. Taking a closer look and you will see that they are not under funded, but that the money is stretched to far. With additional teacher and text book cost that bilingual requirements bring it is no wonder that schools can’t afford to function properly. Antagonists to English only laws claim that they are only looking out for the well being of the foreign students, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Separating students by language is a form of segregation. Instead of helping foreign students assimilate into our culture we push them away. We teach foreigners that America is the land of handouts. What happened to the belief that hard work equals success? 
    I work at a major fast food corporation. I am in charge of hiring new employees. The company I work for requires that I do not judge an applicant based on language. Although I only speak broken Spanish, I am required to hold interviews in what ever language the applicant speaks. I am required to train them in their language. I am required to give them a job and expect my customers to accommodate their lack of English. All this is done because of the fear of being called racist. 
    Is it our responsibility to accommodate foreigners by learning their language? Is it wrong to say that you aren’t wanted if you don’t want to learn our language? I thought people came to our great nation because they wanted to join with us, not change us. If their nation and their language is so good then stay their and use it! Everybody in America either immigrated here or their ancestors did. When my ancestors came to America they became Americans. They didn’t seek to push the culture of their original nation, but sought to conform to the American culture. Some of them had to learn English. They did this in order to succeed. They didn’t assume that others would learn their language.
    English only laws protect our great culture. I think it is great that other nations have different cultures. I really do, and I like to learn about them, but keep them in the other nations. I like to learn other languages, but I shouldn’t have to use them in my own nation. I want my kids to be bilingual, but only because it will help them in the global business world.