[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FUNDING FOR JUDICIAL GENDER, RACIAL FAIRNESS TASK FORCES

                                 ______


                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of funding for 
judicial gender and racial fairness task forces.
  The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 authorized research and 
education programs to enhance judicial knowledge and awareness of 
domestic violence and sexual assault. The act authorized $700,000 for 
Federal court task forces studying gender and racial bias in the 
Federal judicial system. The Commerce, Justice, State, and judiciary 
appropriations bill as passed by the House included the full $700,000 
authorized by VAWA; the Senate version did not fund these important 
task forces. I would like my colleagues on the conference committee to 
stand firm for the House position and also that you fully fund the 
VAWA.
  It is essential that funding for these important task forces be 
retained. To date, at least 40 reports on gender bias and racial bias 
have been issued by Federal and State task forces on gender and racial 
fairness. Many of the improvements suggested by these reports have been 
implemented.
  Several years ago the court system in my home State of Missouri 
conducted a gender bias study which was received favorably by the legal 
community and the State judiciary. This study revealed that gender bias 
is a very real problem in the courts. It identified several key 
problems which ranged from the unequal treatment of women and minority 
witnesses, to statements of outright bias from judicial officers 
directed both to lawyers and to litigants.
  To preserve the integrity of our judicial system, it is essential 
that bias be identified and eliminated. Gender and racial bias task 
forces are part of a longstanding effort on the part of Federal courts 
to look closely at their own performance in an effort to improve the 
administration of justice. Continued funding for these task forces is 
essential if the judicial process is to be fair to all, regardless of 
gender or race.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support funding of these 
task forces for their continued efforts to ensure that all persons are 
treated equally in our Federal courts.

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