[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 114 (Wednesday, July 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORTING RACE-CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2024

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we end the 2024 session of the 
Supreme Court and prepare for students to return to school, I wish to 
reaffirm the need for race-conscious decisions in higher education to 
ensure that students of color receive fair consideration in admissions.
  Affirmative action is an important equity tool to counteract the 
effects of discrimination and structural barriers to education facing 
students of color, a tool that emerged from the Civil Rights Movement 
in the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy first established affirmative 
action to promote racial equality and prevent unfair labor practices 
through an executive order in 1961 that created the President's 
Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. The landmark Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 went further to prohibit discrimination and promote equal 
opportunity based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. 
Subsequent executive orders, laws, and holdings by the Supreme Court 
supported race- and gender-conscious actions to address discrimination 
and enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  The consideration of race in college admissions promotes equal 
treatment without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. 
The resulting campus diversity is a crucial element of quality higher 
education. Diversity curates higher learning opportunities and fosters 
a sense of belonging for traditionally-marginalized communities. 
Research shows that a strong sense of belonging has many positive 
outcomes for students, including improved persistence, retention, 
grades, and health. Diversity in higher education expands perspectives, 
promotes innovation, and prepares students to interact with our diverse 
citizenry.
  One year ago, the Supreme Court gutted 50 years of race-conscious 
admissions in higher education with its decision in Students for Fair 
Admissions Inc. v. President and the Fellows of Harvard. In a 6-3 
decision, the extremist-dominated court ruled that affirmative action 
violated equal protection under the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment 
manifested new freedom and rights at the federal level by establishing 
``equal protection under the laws'' for all American citizens 
regardless of race. Shockingly and offensively, the conservative-
dominated court manipulated an amendment intended to cultivate racial 
equality to stifle programs that correct systemic racial 
discrimination. I firmly agree with Justices Jackson and Sotomayor who 
opposed the ruling. Justice Sotomayor warned that ``. . . racial 
inequality will persist in educational institutions so long as it is 
ignored.'' Justice Jackson noted the contradictory nature of the 
absence of race in admissions decisions but not in military academies, 
prioritizing racial inclusion for military benefit rather than 
educational enrichment.
  The 7th District of Illinois, Chicago, and Illinois are home to 
millions of families whose children deserve the same access to higher 
education opportunities that privileged individuals enjoy. Extremists' 
attacks on race-conscious admissions jeopardizes the future educational 
opportunities of Black and Brown children. A colorblind approach to the 
college admissions process does not acknowledge the entrenched racial 
struggles that minorities face in America. When institutions fail to 
acknowledge race, they fail to recognize the barriers to education 
associated with race that can perpetuate racial inequality in higher 
education. The Supreme Court's promotion of a colorblind society serves 
to protect the wealthy and well-connected.
  I vow to fight for equal opportunity and justice. We must protect the 
tools that are key to securing our civil rights--like race-conscious 
admissions, free and fair elections, and voter protections--to ensure 
that our nation's progress in civil rights does not reverse. 
Advancement toward racial equality cannot be made without consideration 
of race.

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