[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE QUESTION OF RACE AND REMARKS BY PRESIDENT CLINTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hayworth). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to say that there are 
many things that we come to the floor of the House to discuss, and many 
times we do have a difference of opinion, because this is the nature of 
the democratic process.
  Allow me to speak very pointedly on an issue on which I am going to 
call for a bipartisan response and a joined and open-minded response 
that takes into consideration the intense feelings held by many in this 
Nation on this question. That is the question of race, and the remarks 
that were made by the President of the United States this past weekend.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not view his remarks as being political, though I 
know the commentary has reached all levels of debate. I do find his 
words to be important and instructive, for it is noteworthy that we are 
only 3 years now away from the 21st century. His remarks, if 
summarized, asked America how they wished to be defined, whether we 
wanted to go into the 21st century being defined as a divided nation, a 
nation that could not help heal its wounds and heal the divisiveness.
  So I want to applaud the President for calling to our attention the 
fact that now is the time, as was asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, if 
not now, then when, for us to come and speak clearly, resoundingly and 
positively, about bringing this Nation together. I applaud that.
  I imagine that over the year's debate, with the commission that he 
has constructed to carry this forth, that there will be many points of 
view being raised.

                              {time}  1915

  In fact, I believe that there will be many groups that will further 
articulate what that means, action items, economic development, 
education of our children, the elimination of drug addiction in inner 
cities, rebuilding of our infrastructure, creating jobs, helping small 
businesses get access to capital. All of that will be part of the 
larger solution. But no one can take away from the importance of the 
problem and the importance of discussing the problem.
  That is why I think it so very important to acknowledge this debate 
and his raising of this debate and his proudness as well as courage in 
raising it comes the possibility of failure. Already so many have cast 
their lot on the failure side. I cast mine on the success side.
  I would ask the Speaker and I would ask Members of this House that 
they rise up and support this effort in a bipartisan manner. Therefore, 
talk about color-blindness and eliminating affirmative action and 
legislation that is being announced to eliminate all Federal 
affirmative action should now be stopped itself; cease and desist, 
until a full discussion can be taken to determine whether or not now is 
the time to eliminate affirmative action. I would say resoundingly not. 
The facts are there. Eighty percent decrease in admissions in the 
University of California system. Not one single African-American 
admitted or accepted into the University of Texas School of Law. Let me 
say, accepted, but yet only one admitted and none attending in fall of 
1997. So there is data to suggest that we do have a problem in making 
sure that women, African-Americans, Hispanics and Anglos, Asians, and 
others who come from diverse backgrounds are all in the circle.
  There was an article noted in the Houston Chronicle on June 17, 1997, 
written by Newt Gingrich and Ward Connerly. They seemed to try to 
emphasize, in defending opposing affirmative action and as well not 
rising to the debate that would help bring us together, that other 
issues are important. Let me say that I agree that we must educate our 
children. Let me say that I agree that we must do other things, Mr. 
Speaker, to ensure that we bring us together.
  But let us not forget, Mr. Speaker, that we can do it by discussion 
and then solving the problem and, yes, we can do it by an apology. Let 
us work together to solve the problems of racial divide.

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