[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ELECTION REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Maxine Waters 
and the Members of the Democratic Caucus Special Committee on Election 
Reform for their hard work in organizing election reform hearings 
across America, and developing Democratic proposals on election reform.
  Ensuring every American's vote is counted is the cornerstone to 
rebuilding faith in our democracy. That's why Democrats have made clear 
our commitment to finding bipartisan solutions to the ills that plague 
America's electoral process. Real election reform is a top priority for 
the American people and is the civil rights issue of the new 
millennium.
  Unfortunately, I know the Election Reform Committee has heard a great 
deal about attempts to intimidate minority voters around the country 
during this past election. Having attended two of the Special 
Committee's field hearings, I know how important they are to uncovering 
the truth about voter suppression, and to ensuring we stop efforts to 
disenfranchise African American and Hispanic voters in the future.
  It is clear that what happened in Florida to intimidate and suppress 
African American turnout was not an isolated incident. In fact, 
significant efforts to suppress the African American vote occurred in 
my district in Fort Worth this fall. I personally witnessed a 
systematic campaign by local Republicans to harass, intimidate and 
suppress African American voters--especially senior citizens.
  With so many sad examples of voter intimidation and voting 
irregularities, the need for real action on election reform could not 
be clearer. After the field hearings are completed, Democrats will 
propose to the House real steps to make it easier for people to vote, 
expand participation in our democracy, and fix a broken system that has 
disenfranchised too many Americans for too long.
  The importance of election reform to preserving the integrity of our 
democracy is so great that we must not allow partisan politics to keep 
Congress from addressing it. I thank Congressman Waters for her strong 
leadership and for organizing this special order, and I desperately 
hope Republicans will join us in passing meaningful election reform to 
ensure every American's vote is counted.

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