[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A COMMITMENT TO ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE

  (Mr. CUMMINGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, some people believe election reform is a 
dead issue, but I stand here today to state that it is alive and I have 
taken the first step. I have taken the first step in recognizing that 
during the 2000 presidential election, the principle of one person, one 
vote was abandoned, resulting in the disenfranchisement of thousands of 
citizens. I have taken a first step in recognizing that our current 
doctrines and laws, namely our Constitution and the Voting Rights Act, 
provide guarantees against many of the discriminatory violations that 
occurred during the election. I have taken the first step, Mr. Speaker, 
by introducing a resolution, H. Res. 139, which confirms this body's 
commitment to these doctrines and calls for their vigorous enforcement.
  What better way to restore the American people's faith in government 
and the principle of one person, one vote than to confirm our 
commitment to our current laws as a foundation to election reform. This 
is the first step.
  I urge my colleagues to take the first step with me. Cosponsor H. 
Res. 139 and confirm their commitment to the principle of one person, 
one vote.

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