[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 86 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ENDING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue which 
should concern every American. In the wake of President Clinton's 
speech in San Diego CA, I want to stress the importance of ending 
affirmative action.
  Treating people differently because of their color used to be called 
discrimination, today it is called affirmative action. I disagree with 
the President's stance on affirmative action. I believe the popular 
support of proposition 209 in California shows our great State's 
commitment to the historical ideals of liberty and equal justice under 
law.
  President Clinton's speech was symbolic but without the proper 
substance. If he wants to improve race relations in America he must 
take something back from California. He should listen to what 
Californians are saying and end every form of racial preference. I urge 
the rest of the Nation to follow in California's footsteps and close 
the doors on affirmative action and open the doors on fairness and 
equality.
  For America to stand united, we must first stand as individuals who 
are equal in the eyes of the law. In order for us to solve the problems 
that stand in our Nation's work place and our communities, every 
American needs to be able to stand balanced under blind justice.
  Affirmative action is state sponsored discrimination. As long as it 
is part of our society, the character, the motivations and achievements 
of some Americans will remain suspect in the eyes of others Mr. 
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reconsider the remarks of the 
President and to heavily consider the continued failure of affirmative 
action to heal our Nation's racial discord.

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