[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 100 (Thursday, July 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ARTHUR A. FLETCHER

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, we should all take a moment today to honor 
the life and the work of Arthur Fletcher. Considered ``the father of 
affirmative action,'' he advised four Presidential administrations and 
never missed an opportunity to advance the interests of underserved 
people throughout the Nation. Today, Mr. Fletcher is being laid to 
rest, after a distinguished life of public service.
  As an affirmative action supporter, Mr. Fletcher identified with 
Abraham Lincoln's legacy and felt that in order to make the greatest 
changes he needed to work from inside the political system. He was 
appointed by President Nixon to be the Assistant Secretary of Wage and 
Labor Standards. From this position, he developed ``the revised 
Philadelphia Plan'' which became the blueprint for affirmative action 
plans, creating a framework for employers to use in hiring. He 
continued to advise three more presidents: He was the Deputy Urban 
Affairs Adviser for President Gerald R. Ford, an adviser to President 
Ronald Reagan, and the Chairman of the Civil Rights Commission between 
1990 and 1993. During his service in these administrations, Mr. 
Fletcher never shied away from addressing the most challenging 
opposition as he worked to expand equality and opportunity.
  Mr. Fletcher is probably best known for the phrase, ``a mind is a 
terrible thing to waste'' which he helped develop while serving as the 
executive director of the United Negro College Fund, however his 
influence was more far reaching. For example, Mr. Fletcher personally 
helped finance the lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education in the 
landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which successfully sought to 
desegregate the Topeka public school system.
  His interests seemed to know no bounds as he played football for the 
Los Angeles Rams and then became the first African American player for 
the Baltimore Colts. He ran for high public office, including President 
of the United States in 1996, always to advance the virtues of 
affirmative action.
  As a lifetime advocate Arthur Fletcher himself was a story of 
affirmative action, not only working for the advancement of others but 
blazing a trail for others to follow of hard work and determination. 
His contributions to American society have benefited millions and 
raised the lifestyles of African Americans and all traditionally 
underserved people across our country. His family can take pride in the 
great strides that our country has made as a result of his hard work.
  My deepest sympathy goes out to his three children, his many 
grandchildren, and of course his wife Bernyce Hassan-Fletcher. His 
legacy lives on in all of us who believe in the struggle for racial and 
gender equality and who continue to fight for equal opportunity for 
all. He will be greatly missed.

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