[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONDEMNING RACIAL AND ANTI-CATHOLIC BIGOTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the 
concurrent resolution, introduced by my colleagues John Conyers, Jr. 
and Joseph Crowley, that condemns the discriminatory practices 
prevalent at Bob Jones University and all individuals who espouse 
similar beliefs. As members of a diverse society who desire mutual 
respect for and by all, we should never let bigotry go unchecked. Bob 
Jones University has been perpetuating its anti-Catholic and racially 
bigoted practices and beliefs for decades. It is about time that the 
institution be condemned.
  Bob Jones University claims it is neither racist nor anti-Catholic. 
However, the University's policies and preachings create an environment 
where it is permissible to view those of different religions and races 
as inferior. Once that environment is established, all other forms of 
discrimination can ensue. In my own state of California, we have 
witnessed all too often what such an environment can lead to: police 
brutality, such as that endured by Rodney King; the passage of harsh 
anti-immigrant measures, such as proposition 187; and the grinding, 
persistent prejudice that blocks too many hardworking families and 
individuals from realizing their full potential.
  Many people throughout California and across the nation have been 
working hard to counteract the damage done by thoughts and acts of 
hatred and intolerance. At a time when we as a nation should be 
focusing our efforts on healing our wounds, it is troubling that an 
academic institution would be dedicated to unraveling the fabric of our 
multicultural society. Our nation will only be weakened if we fail to 
speak out against policies that seek to divide, segregate and denigrate 
people on the basis of race or religion.

                          ____________________