[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 93 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1419]]
FANNIE LOU HAMER, ROSA PARKS, AND CORETTA SCOTT KING VOTING RIGHTS ACT 
               REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 9) to amend 
     the Voting Rights Act of 1965:

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 9, the 
Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. The right 
to vote is the very foundation of our democracy. Yet millions of 
minority voters face discrimination when exercising this crucial right. 
As the most effective civil rights statute ever enacted, it is our duty 
to support the Voting Rights Act. H.R. 9 will better safeguard the 
rights of minorities. Throughout our history, minority groups have 
struggled hard to achieve the right to vote. Key provisions of the 
Voting Rights Act will expire if this legislation is not passed. We 
need to ensure that these hard-won gains are not rolled back.
  The fight against voter discrimination is far from over. H.R. 9 
provides more accountability in the voting process so that the votes of 
American citizens who are not fluent in English will be properly 
counted. In addition, this will effectively combat discrimination 
against voting minority groups. As a representative of a territory 
where the native language of Chamorro is widely spoken, among other 
languages, I can personally attest to the importance of accommodating 
non-native English speakers.
  H.R. 9 is a necessary reinforcement to the cornerstone of our 
democracy. Minorities have a much greater voice today than decades 
before thanks to the Voting Rights Act. I urge my colleagues to support 
this important legislation.

                          ____________________