[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

  (Mr. LEWIS of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern 
over Monday's Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. I believe 
this ruling sends the wrong message.
  I believe there is no justification in diminishing the power of the 
Federal Government in building a diverse workplace and ensuring 
opportunity for all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people should know that affirmative action 
does not promote unqualified people and firms into jobs and 
institutions. Instead, it has provided minorities and women equal 
access to education, jobs, and contracts.
  Affirmative action is an important tool to address the persistent 
dilemma of racial and gender inequality and discrimination. Now more 
than ever before, we need affirmative action because the scars and 
stains of racism and bigotry are still deeply embedded in the American 
society. We cannot go back and we must not go back.


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