[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26699]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              FULL FUNDING URGED FOR HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 2003

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a 
tremendous turning point in our country's voting rights history. One 
year ago today, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which was 
overwhelmingly passed with bi-partisan support, became a federal law.
  The 2000 elections proved to be frustrating for both candidates and 
voters alike. Sadly, it highlighted issues in our voting system that 
needed improvement. Thanks to the leadership of the bill's sponsor, my 
House Administration colleague, Chairman Bob Ney, and the support of 
former Ranking Member Steny Hoyer, we now have the foundation for a 
much more efficient voting system.
  During the past year, this foundation has indeed started to take 
shape. As a result of HAVA, a program has been established to pay 
states to replace their punch card and lever voting machines. Last 
month, my home state of Connecticut unveiled a pilot project with four 
different types of electronic voting machines that will be used in 
eight towns next week on Election Day. This is a remarkable advancement 
for Connecticut voters, who have been using lever voting machines 
almost exclusively for over 50 years.
  What makes HAVA so notable is that it is not solely about financial 
support. It takes into account the entire voting experience before, 
during, and after citizens enter polling places. HAVA educates voters 
on voting procedures as well as on their rights; makes polling places 
more accessible to people with disabilities; creates statewide voter 
registration databases that can be more effectively managed and 
updated; improves ballot review procedures, allowing voters to ensure 
that the ballots they cast are accurate; and creates provisional 
balloting systems to guarantee that no eligible voter is ever turned 
away at the polls.
  On Monday, the Senate Rules Committee held a hearing to confirm the 
four Election Assistance Commissioners nominated by President Bush, who 
are responsible for implementing HAVA. One of the four nominees, Gracia 
Hillman was recommended by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and I 
wholeheartedly support the Leader's selection. Gracia Hillman, has 
effectively handled both domestic and international issues. Her areas 
of expertise include nonprofit management, public policy and program 
development, political services, the interests and rights of women and 
minorities; citizen participation in the development of public policy 
and community affairs; and elections related issues, including voting 
rights.
  I believe we would be hard-pressed to find someone more dedicated 
than Ms. Hillman to strengthening the voices of all citizens, including 
those who are disabled. I hope that Ms. Hillman and the rest of the 
nominees are confirmed by the full Senate before they adjourn for the 
year.
  I urge full funding of the Help American Vote Act to ensure that the 
2004 elections do not repeat the trouble-plagued elections of 2000. The 
act of voting for our government representatives is a sacred right of 
all Americans. It is our duty, through HAVA, to inspire them to use 
that right. President Lyndon Johnson most succinctly stated this duty 
as he spoke to Congress on March 15, 1965, to implore them to pass the 
Voting Rights Act of 1965: ``There is no duty which weighs more heavily 
on us than the duty we have to ensure that right (to vote).''

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