[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMISSION

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2001

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
encouraging Americans to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Brown v. 
Board of Education and the end of legal segregation in America. 
However, I cannot support the legislation before us because it attempts 
to authorize an unconstitutional expenditure of federal funds for the 
purpose of establishing a commission to provide federal guidance of 
celebrations of the anniversary of the Brown decision. This expenditure 
is neither constitutional nor in the sprit of the brave men and woman 
of the civil rights moment who are deservedly celebrated for standing 
up to an overbearing government infringing on individual rights.
  Mr. Speaker, any authorization of an unconstitutional expenditure of 
taxpayer funds is an abuse of our authority and undermines the 
principles of a limited government which respects individual rights. 
Because I must oppose appropriations not authorized by the enumerated 
powers of the Constitution, I therefore reject this bill. I continue to 
believe that the best way to honor the legacy of those who fought to 
ensure that all Americans can enjoy the blessings of liberty and a 
government that treats citizens of all races equally is by consistently 
defending the idea of a limited government whose powers do not exceed 
those explicitly granted it by the Constitution.

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