[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15990]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       AFFIRMATIVE ACTION RULING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Supreme Court decided to support 
the hopes and dreams of millions of Hispanic children. It tells them 
they will have the same opportunities, the same choices, the same 
future that others will. The Court was loud and clear when it said that 
diversity can be used by colleges and universities in their admissions 
policies.
  This is a victory for the American people and for everything our 
country stands for. And we have this victory despite President Bush's 
efforts to undermine minority access to higher education. While saying 
he supports diversity, President Bush has actively worked to outlaw 
affirmative action at the University of Michigan and across the 
country. We cannot accept excuses. We cannot justify smoke and mirrors. 
The President says that considering race or ethnic background is 
unfair, but affirmative action programs are forward-focused to combat 
discrimination and promote diversity. I know that, the military knows 
that, corporate America knows that, and the 39 million Hispanics in 
this country know that. Today, the Supreme Court has said that it knows 
that too. The Supreme Court ruled over 25 years ago that diversity in 
admissions policies added to the educational and social experiences on 
our college and university campuses. The Court reaffirmed that decision 
today.
  This ruling also sends a strong message to colleges and universities 
in California. At the University of California, the percentage of black 
and Hispanic students in medical and law schools has dropped since 
race-conscious admissions were eliminated a few years ago.
  This year, black and Hispanic students make up only 16 percent of 
first-year students at California's five state-run medical schools and 
public law schools. In contrast, in the final years of race-conscious 
admissions, black and Hispanics consistently accounted for more than 20 
percent of enrollment at these same schools. Acceptance rates for 
Hispanic applicants in the entire University of California system has 
dropped from 64 percent in 1997 to 47 percent in 2002. What is 
happening to those other students? They are not just numbers!!! They 
are people whose lives will be changed forever.
  Today, fewer than 10 percent of college-aged Hispanics go on to 
higher education. Only 16 percent of Hispanics between the ages of 25-
29 have Bachelor's degrees. What do these numbers tell us? It tells us 
that we do not have the same educational opportunities that others 
have.
  President Bush says that we should not be satisfied with the current 
numbers of minorities on American college campuses. He's right. But 
other than nice words, what does he offer? He says one thing, then does 
another. He has followed budget cuts and funding freezes of programs 
that benefit Hispanic children with an attack on Hispanic educational 
opportunities.
  The Bush Administration tried to find yet another way to hinder our 
children's chances to an equal and quality education. We are fortunate 
that he failed in his effort to leave even more children behind.
  This loss for the Bush Administration and for its policies is a 
victory for every child that wants an opportunity for a better 
education and a better life.

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