[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H5054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RENEW THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

  (Mr. PRICE of North Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Voting Rights Act 
reauthorization appropriately carries the names of civil rights 
pioneers Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King.
  Along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act was 
the major legislative expression of that great movement that inspired 
and challenged so many of us, whites and blacks alike, and that brought 
the liberty and justice that our Nation professes closer to 
realization.
  Now, many Republicans say the Voting Rights Act is too burdensome or 
that pre-clearance is no longer needed. But listen to the testimony of 
North Carolina election officials.
  ``I would hate to operate without it,'' says one.
  ``Pre-clearance requirements are routine, and do not occupy 
exorbitant amounts of time, energy or resources,'' adds another.
  ``The history of X County causes our operations to be scrutinized and 
rightfully so,'' says a third official.
  And a fourth adds, ``The Voting Rights Act allows us an opportunity 
to assure the public that minority rights are being protected and that 
someone is independently validating those decisions.''
  Mr. Speaker, the Voting Rights Act works, and we must pass it at full 
strength.

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