[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 154 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NOMINATION OF BILL LAN LEE TO BE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR CIVIL 
                                 RIGHTS

 Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, earlier this year, I had the 
pleasure of meeting Mr. Bill Lee, President Clinton's nominee for the 
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. I was impressed with his 
intelligence, his strong sense of fairness, and his dedication to 
ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to enjoy the same 
basic rights. Today I strongly urge my colleagues on the Senate 
Judiciary Committee to act favorably on the nomination of Bill Lan Lee.
  Mr. Lee has an exceptional background. He is a graduate of Yale 
University and Columbia University Law School, and has proven his 
dedication to the pubic sector by working for the Asian American Legal 
Defense Fund and the Los Angeles-based Center for Law in the Public 
Interest. Currently, he serves as western regional counsel for the 
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. During his 23-years as a civil 
rights litigator, Mr. Lee has earned a reputation for his legal 
expertise and his integrity.
  In July, the President nominated Mr. Lee to be the Assistant Attorney 
General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. At the time of 
his nomination, Mr. Lee was widely praised by both his allies and 
adversaries as a qualified and competent civil rights attorney, and was 
supported by both Democrats and Republicans. No one questioned his 
intelligence nor his qualifications to competently serve this country 
as the Assistant Attorney General.
  That is why it is so surprising, in the eleventh hour, to now hear so 
much opposition to this nomination. The vote on this nomination should 
be based on Mr. Lee's competence, ability, and character. Instead, some 
Senators have decided that his nomination should be held hostage to 
their position on affirmative action. Rather that to fill this 
position, which has gone vacant for over six months, my colleagues 
instead have chosen to push their political agenda. I do not believe 
that this is at all appropriate, nor do I believe that this action is 
in the best interests of the American people.
  I must point out that this is not a lifetime position, nor is it a 
regulatory position that will out last the President's term. Rather, 
this position carries a term that is served at the whim of the 
President. It seems to me that the President, who was elected by the 
people, should have the right to choose those who will serve under him, 
that he should have the option of choosing individuals whose personal 
views reflect his own, so long as those individuals have the requisite 
competence, ability, and character. But the opposition to Mr. Lee is 
not based on his abilities, rather, it is based on policy. I do not 
believe that this is a legitimate reasoning for opposing this 
particular nomination.
  I am especially troubled by this attack on Mr. Lee because I believe 
it does an injustice to the American dream. The American dream is a 
major part of what makes this country such a special place. It says 
that everyone--whether rich or poor, male or female, gay or straight, 
black or white--everyone should have the opportunity to go as far as 
their talent and hard work will take them. It's a dream that says that 
merit, and nothing more, should determine your opportunities.
  Mr. Lee is a shining example of this dream becoming reality. Out of 
adversity came this bright, enthusiastic gentleman who made a career of 
ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to share their talents 
and succeed. In fact, it was this belief in this idealistic view of 
America that made Mr. Lee pursue this position. Lee insisted in his 
confirmation hearing that as ``a son of immigrants, the opportunity to 
serve the nation by enforcing the Federal civil rights laws reaffirms 
[his] belief in the American dream.''
  Despite this statement, and despite the fact that Mr. Lee has 
repeatedly assured his critics that he is not in favor of quotas, that 
he believes every talented and able individual should be given the full 
opportunity to compete and succeed, and that he would enforce the laws 
of our country, my colleagues continue to take issue with his 
nomination by attacking his personal beliefs and views on affirmative 
action. Unfortunately, these baseless allegations, unfounded attacks, 
and unwarranted comments about Mr. Lee have undermined the first real 
chance this Senate has had to fill this position with a qualified and 
competent individual. In short, they are refusing to give this 
qualified individual the opportunity to stand on his merit.
  Mr. President, I thank the American people deserve better, and I 
believe we do an injustice to them by allowing this position to go 
empty for this long for no good reason. This is shameful, and I urge my 
colleagues to reconsider their actions.

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