[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 15, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S339-S340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I came to the floor to discuss two 
issues--one, the matter of civil rights and, secondly, the important 
matter of economic stimulus. I indicated that today was a watershed 
moment for this administration. They had to make a choice and, as they 
made that choice, they would be making history.
  Well, I am now told they have made the choice. They have decided to 
side with those opponents of civil rights and diversity in coming down 
in opposition to the Michigan case. I am troubled and saddened by the 
news. This administration, just a month ago, indicated they were going 
to demonstrate their commitment to civil rights, a commitment to 
diversity. They were going to show by their actions their intentions 
and their resolve to continue to provide meaningful opportunity to 
minorities in this country. Once again, today, the administration has 
said it is as clearly by their actions as anyone can that they will 
continue to side with those opposed to civil rights and opposed to 
diversity in this country.
  I don't know how the Supreme Court ultimately will decide, but I do 
know this: Unless we take real action, unless we show real leadership, 
unless we show by our actions that indeed we want to see real 
opportunity and meaningful respect for diversity in this country, 
nothing will change.
  On occasion after occasion, in spite of their rhetoric, the 
administration has shown by their actions an insensitivity to civil 
rights and diversity. They showed it by renominating Judge Pickering; 
they have shown it by their inaction and apparent opposition to

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hate crimes legislation; they have shown it by cutting funding on 
programs that would provide meaningful opportunities, especially in 
education, especially in those areas where with additional investment 
we could help those who are disenfranchised and disadvantaged; they 
have shown it in their rulings in the Justice Department; they have 
shown it on virtually every single occasion when actions spoke louder 
than words. But of all of the times they have shown it, I don't know 
that they could have shown it any more unequivocally than they have 
shown it this afternoon.
  So as I said, I am troubled, disheartened, and I am still looking for 
evidence that this administration truly means what it says; that this 
administration is willing to support by actions, rather than just by 
its rhetoric, meaningful change in civil rights and diversity in this 
country today.

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