[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PROPOSITION 209

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, the highest court in the land, the Supreme 
Court, recently refused to block enforcement of California's 
Proposition 209, the measure that bans race or gender from being a 
factor in State hiring or school admission. This measure, which was 
originally agreed to by the people of California nearly 2 years ago, 
has finally taken effect. I am pleased that the Supreme Court has 
decided to abide by the will of the people and allow those most 
qualified and most deserving to obtain State contracts and spots in our 
competitive universities.
  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 
the law.
  Mr. Speaker, for the last 20 years the Government has been trying to 
classify all Americans. This is something that I believe is unnecessary 
and divisive to all of us. I do not believe that race or gender should 
be used in the consideration of a person's qualifications for a job or 
the receipt of services.
  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 workplace and our communities, every 
American needs to be able to stand balanced under blind justice.
  Mr. Speaker, as long as affirmative action is a part of our society, 
the character, the motivations and achievements of some Americans will 
remain suspect in the eyes of others. This recent Supreme Court 
decision is a great victory for California. We are leading the charge 
to end race-based preferences. We have seen the continued failure of 
affirmative action and we will work to open the doors of fairness and 
equality.

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