[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             COMMEMORATION OF SIGNING OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT

  (Ms. BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
signing of the Voting Rights Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson almost 
30 years ago. Unfortunately, we are fighting the same hard-won battles 
all over again--whether the Congress of the United States should look 
like all Americans or just some.
  It took us 25 years to get the Voting Rights Act enforced. Now that 
Congress finally begins to look like all Americans--women, African-
Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities--the bad old boys from the 
bad old days are trying to send us back to the back of the political 
bus.
  The recent decision in North Carolina approving the current map, is 
both timely and proper; it reaffirms my belief that districts created 
to remedy violations of the Voting Rights Act should not be stricken 
down by the courts. The shape of a district is not in the Constitution, 
but fair representation is guaranteed. The North Carolina decision 
demonstrates the correctness of looking at what unites districts, not 
just race, but that these districts have been economically 
disadvantaged for too long.
  In Florida, there was no African-American in Congress for over 120 
years. Now there are three African-Americans and two Hispanics, but 
these accomplishments have been attacked in court.
  As President Clinton recently stated,

       We are committed to the gains made by minority voters 
     through enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. Inclusion of 
     all Americans in the political process is not a luxury; it is 
     central to our future as the world's most vibrant democracy.

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