[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1601-E1602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REGARDING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call 
attention to, and recognize the anniversary of the historic Voting 
Right Act, August 6th. It was almost a frightening coincidence that on 
the anniversary, many of my colleagues were attempting to defeat 
efforts that would prevent the use of statistical sampling to 
accurately count America's minorities. The opponents of an accurate 
count wanted to prevent minorities from being counted because it could 
indirectly heighten their influence in elections and the drawing of 
congressional districts. Mr. Speaker, the floor debate did not mark the 
first time that efforts were used to prevent the political 
franchisement of African-Americans. Indeed, the very purpose of the 
creation of the voting rights act was done to address the countless 
obstacles African-Americans faced in electing their own to Congress.
  Before the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, minorities were 
subjected to these efforts to dilute their voting power: 
Gerrymandering, removing minorities from voting rolls and even outright 
threats of bodily harm.
  The Voting Rights Act was instrumental in protecting the voting 
opportunities of minorities. In addition, to the chagrin of those who 
would like to see the clock of progress turned back, the Voting Rights 
Act has directly resulted in the fair election of African-Americans to 
Congress.
  However, Mr. Speaker, I stand not only to call attention to the 
benefits of the Voting Rights Act, but to ask that Americans be ever 
vigilant in protecting the Voting Rights Act from those who wish to 
forever confine it to the annals of history.
  As the uses and benefits of the Voting Rights Act are forever 
enduring, so are the attacks and efforts to eliminate it. 
Unfortunately, there are those who seek to eliminate or weaken the 
protections provided by the Voting Rights Act. If they are successful, 
then the wonderful diversity of Congress that mirrors

[[Page E1602]]

the rich cultural tapestry of our Nation may be jeopardized. If they 
are successful, the Congress of tomorrow could look like the Congress 
of a hundred years past.
  Mr. Speaker, I highly suspect that arguments of fairness, 
constitutionality and righteousness are thinly-veiled attacks on the 
Voting Rights Act and seek to imperil the ability of African-Americans 
to gain elective office.
  Some of my African-American colleagues are now experiencing the 
attacks that I went through; nevertheless, I am confident that the can 
prevail as I have.
  One way that I believe we can continue to prevail and protect the 
letter of the law that is inherent in the Voting Rights Act is to teach 
future generations to study what it means and what it has accomplished. 
If we allow future generations to forget the strides we made in voting 
that has enabled African-Americans to serve in Congress, then they will 
not be able to recognize threats to the voting franchise, or fully 
appreciate how fragile the right to vote truly is. I ask that in the 
days following this historic anniversary, we teach new generations to 
be forthright students of history, so that they may be informed 
protectors of our future.
  Mr. Speaker, as it was once said, ``That is the supreme value of 
history. The study of it is the best guaranty against repeating it.''

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