[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 122 (Monday, July 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E682-E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WILL HAVE DEVASTATING 
                                EFFECTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SHONTEL M. BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2023

  Ms. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Jackson and Congresswoman 
Cherfilus-McCormick for leading this Special-Order Hour.
  The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action is a disaster for 
the Black and Brown young people that I represent in Northeast Ohio. 
It's a disaster for underserved communities across the country. And 
frankly, it's a terrible outcome for the entire Nation, because diverse 
schools are better schools, for all students. This is a ruling that 
denies the reality of our past and undermines our Nation's future. And 
we need to be upfront about what this ruling will mean for real people.
  Because of this ruling, there are going to be drastically fewer Black 
and Brown students admitted to the Nation's most selective schools. 
Because of this ruling, the Nation's top schools, the schools that feed 
into power, influence, and wealth--are going to be whiter. So, let's be 
real: this ruling is a lot of things--but it's not about fairness. Mr. 
Speaker, last week I had the honor of hosting HHS Secretary Xavier 
Becerra in Cleveland and introducing him to students and faculty at 
Lincoln-West High School.
  At Lincoln-West, we have the only high school in the country located 
inside a hospital--and the students are doing incredible things. 
They're shadowing doctors and nurses, interning at MetroHealth 
hospital, and earning certifications at a very young age.
  During our visit to Lincoln-West's facilities at MetroHealth, we met 
with recent graduates Tavion Lindsey and Khandah Abdullah. These 
talented young people impressed us deeply, introducing themselves and 
describing the program and their experience seamlessly with multiple 
members of Congress, a member of the Cabinet, and the President of the 
hospital. Tavion and Khandah demonstrate how this program at Lincoln-
West is instilling understanding, confidence, and expertise in its 
students.
  Mr. Speaker, Lincoln-West is in the Cleveland Metropolitan School 
District, which is nearly 80 percent Black or Hispanic, and where a 
majority of students are from low-income households. The success of 
this innovative hospital program shows students can do so much--if 
they're given a chance. And Mr. Speaker, that's why this ruling cut so 
deep. I think of all the brilliant minds in my district and across 
America who are going to be denied opportunities because of this 
shameful and ignorant ruling. We owe it to those young people to keep 
fighting, keep working, and keep speaking out.

[[Page E683]]

  We must support schools and students and teachers in every zip code, 
and we must make higher education more affordable. We must invest in 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and support the students 
that attend them. Finally, we must build a more inclusive economy, with 
programs and policies that are equitable.
  Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court may have decided to ignore centuries 
of slavery, centuries of discrimination, centuries of inequality--but I 
have not. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the Congressional 
Black Caucus, because we understand that this ruling is a setback, but 
that it is also a call to action. We must keep fighting for an America 
where all people can thrive.

                          ____________________