[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         BLACK AMERICANS' RIGHT TO VOTE WILL NOT EXPIRE IN 2007

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in commemoration of the thirty-third 
anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On this 
day, it is fitting that we take the time to assure Black Americans that 
they will not lose their right to vote in 2007, contrary to a 
widespread rumor that has been circulating around the country.
  To correct the misunderstanding of the Voting Rights Act, I am 
introducing in the Congressional Record an article that was featured in 
The New York Amsterdam News (July 16-July 22, 1998.

            Don't Panic--Your Right To Vote Will Not Expire

                         (By Charles B. Rangel)

       I am writing to address a widespread rumor that in the year 
     2007, Blacks will lose the right to vote. The recent 
     editorial by Brandy Darling, ``Blacks' right to vote ends by 
     the year 2007,'' is the latest reinforcement of well-
     intentioned but frightening misinformation. There is no 
     expiration date on African-Americans' voting rights. This 
     right is provided and guaranteed by the 15th Amendment to the 
     U.S. Constitution.
       The confusion is due to a misunderstanding of the Voting 
     Rights Act. First enacted in 1965, the law removed the 
     infamous barriers that had been systematically imposed to 
     prevent Blacks from voting for nearly a century, despite the 
     mandate of the 15th Amendment. Among those forbidden 
     practices were the imposition of poll taxes and literacy 
     tests, not to mention the threat of violence.
       While some provisions of the Voting Rights Act will expire 
     in the year 2007, the most important protections of African-
     American voting rights will remain in place. The prohibition 
     against racial discrimination in voting is permanent and is 
     guaranteed in the 15th Amendment. Prohibitions against poll 
     taxes, literacy tests and the like have no expiration date. 
     Technically these protections could be removed by amending 
     the law, but that would provoke a monumental battle.
       Certain provisions in the Voting Rights Act will expire in 
     2007 with serious implications for non-English speaking 
     citizens and for the election of minority office holders.
       States or political subdivisions with significant numbers 
     of non-English speaking citizens would no longer be required 
     to provide bilingual services to eligible voters. If not 
     corrected, this could minimize the growing political strength 
     of Hispanics.
       The growth in number of minority elected officials could 
     also be affected by the expiring administrative provisions of 
     the act. It includes the requirement for preclearance of 
     election observers. This provision does not guarantee 
     election of minorities. Rather, it prevents jurisdictions 
     with a history of discrimination and racial polarization from 
     manipulating the electoral systems to render the Black vote 
     ineffective.
       Although African-Americans were granted the right to vote 
     in 1870 with the passage of the 15th Amendment the legal and 
     illegal measures which many southern states used to prevent 
     Blacks from voting resulted in the exclusion of most African-
     American citizens from voting for nearly a century. In 
     response, in 1965, Congress passed the first Voting Rights 
     Act.
       Generally, the Voting Rights Act was first applied to any 
     stake or political jurisdiction that used tests or other 
     devices as a condition for voter registration. The law was 
     amended by Congress in 1970, 1975, 1982 and 1992 to expand 
     coverage beyond the southern states and to apply to non-
     English speaking citizens. There is no truth to the claim 
     that the extension of the Voting Rights Act requires 
     ratification by the states. To be renewed, only a vote by 
     Congress is required.
       Soon after emancipation from slavery, Blacks earned the 
     right to vote. This victory did not come easily. African-
     Americans were subjected to fraud, violence (including 
     murder) and other unsavory tactics as a means to stop them 
     from voting. Over the years, Blacks have sacrificed unduly 
     for the right to vote. No one should ever have to experience 
     such threats. That is why it is extremely important for 
     African-Americans to continue to monitor potential threats to 
     their right to vote.
       We must be mindful of the fact that most of the gains made 
     over the years have resulted from political activism. On the 
     other hand, many of the losses that we are now experiencing 
     stem from political apathy. In the 1996 presidential 
     election, approximately 51 percent of African-Americans 
     voted. To look at it another way, almost half of the eligible 
     African-Americans voters did not vote in the last 
     presidential election. If there are 40 African-American 
     members in the U.S. Congress using a little over half of the 
     voting power, imagine what can be done if all Black Americans 
     participated in the political process.
       Black America is under attack. Affirmative action is being 
     dismantled; Black churches are burning; racial hate crimes 
     are on the rise; public schools are crumbling; and young 
     Black men are filling the jails. These are reasons why we 
     must fight back politically. And the struggle cannot end 
     there. There is a serious need for improvements in education 
     and training, affordable housing and increased job 
     opportunities. Blacks must be prepared to compete in a global 
     technological society.
       Although the rumors over the Voting Rights Act are not 
     true, the concern is real. Blacks are not in danger of losing 
     the right to vote. However, the political power of African-
     Americans is being diluted. There is a need to monitor 
     political threats and to inform the president and Congress of 
     your concerns.

     

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