[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1199-E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  APPLAUDING THE SUPREME COURT DECISION REAFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF 
                     DIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize that 
the Supreme Court's recent decision in Fisher v University of Texas at 
Austin represents an important milestone for our nation as we build a 
more inclusive, diverse America. The Court's decision reaffirms that 
universities may consider racial and ethnic diversity as one factor 
among many in a carefully-crafted admissions policy. This ruling 
represents a victory for equal opportunity in education and helps 
prepare our citizens to compete in the diverse, global economy of the 
21st century.
  The historical structure of the House of Representatives exists to 
represent our nation's vast geographic diversity as well as to value 
the diverse opinions of each constituency to set the national agenda of 
progress. Serving in the House for nine terms, I am happy to say that I 
continue to learn from the diverse pool of people and ideas that 
comprise the House of Representatives. For the first time in our 
nation's history, women and minorities constitute the majority of the 
House Democratic Caucus. This diverse environment plays a critical role 
in the health and responsiveness of our Caucus. Indeed, diversity is 
considered by many as one of the most valuable assets to assuring 
success in business, the arts, science, and sports.
  Similarly, a diverse environment on college and university campuses 
strengthens our nation by providing equal educational opportunity and 
promoting the creative thinking needed for innovation. I am a strong 
supporter of the holistic admission process. By promoting inclusivity 
and diversity on the campuses of our nation's higher education 
institutions via the admissions process, we recognize that students' 
successes are characterized by much more than their grade point 
averages alone. A carefully-crafted admissions policy that considers a 
wide-array of characteristics--such as leadership experiences, 
socioeconomic status, racial or ethnic background, athletic skills, and 
artistic abilities helps our educational institutions provide a diverse

[[Page E1200]]

learning environment that reflects the diversity of our nation, 
enhances the ability of students to engage with persons from different 
backgrounds and cultures to better prepare them for our global economy, 
and improves access to higher education. As the global marketplace 
grows more interconnected, it is crucial that the United States remains 
an active leader in the new global economy by training a workforce 
prepared to engage with those from different cultures.
  I am pleased that the Supreme Court recognized the ability of our 
nation's colleges and universities to consider racial and ethnic 
diversity as one factor among many in a carefully-crafted admissions 
policy. This decision will help promote access to higher education and 
enrich our country.

                          ____________________