[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 4 (Saturday, January 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VOTING DISENFRANCHISEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, January 6, 2001

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, today this body meets in a joint 
session to certify the Electoral College votes for the 43rd President 
of our nation.
  As an African American, a member of a ``so called'' minority and a 
person of Caribbean descent, while I accept the decision of the Supreme 
Court and will also accept the results of this process today, I do so 
with a strong resolve born out of the hurt and disappointment in the 
events of the past two months.
  The disenfranchisement of many citizens of our country whose legally 
cast votes were not counted has left a dark cloud over the country--a 
cloud which will not easily clear with the inauguration and the 
administering of the oath of office. We cannot turn back the hands of 
time, however, nor change what is past. But we can determine to shape 
and direct our future.
  And so I pledge to work with my colleagues in the Congressional Black 
Caucus, other members of Congress and national leaders to put in place 
whatever policies and introduce and support whatever legislation which 
will ensure that a travesty such as this never happens again. We must 
commit ourselves to restoring the integrity of the election process in 
this country.
  As we return to work later this month, we must include among our 
first priority items addressing the many unmet needs in the 
Territories, in other districts of color, in our rural areas and poor 
communities.
  The Congressional Black Caucus have in the past been referred to as 
the ``conscience of the Congress'' and the ``Fairness Cops of the 
Nation.'' As such, we will take the lead on these issues on behalf of 
those we proudly represent. It is incumbent on all of us though--the 
president-elect and his Cabinet, as well as the leadership in 
Congress--to be our full partners in this effort to lift up all 
Americans and make sure that no one is left behind.
  We have the wherewithal to do it, now as never before. A time of 
plenty like this is not promised again. And so, if not now, when!! And 
if not us, who!!
  Let us seize this time to make America the great country it is 
destined to be.

                          ____________________