[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21896-21897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RESPONSE TO SECRETARY BENNETT'S COMMENTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Westmoreland). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, this evening I rise to express my deep 
disdain and disgust for comments made yesterday on his radio show by 
former Secretary of Education William Bennett.
  He said, and I quote, ``You could abort every black baby in this 
country and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, 
ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate 
would go down.''
  These are shameful words, Mr. Speaker. I am appalled to have to say 
them on the floor of the House of Representatives. Secretary Bennett's 
words reflect a narrow-minded spirit that has no place within American 
discourse. These words do not reflect the values of hope and 
opportunity for the future, they do not reflect the values of the 
American people, Democrat or Republican. Secretary Bennett does not 
reflect American mainstream values; he did not when he was Secretary of 
Education and he does not now. Leaders are called to higher standards 
than Secretary Bennett has demonstrated. We have a responsibility to 
lead, to be an example.
  As Americans feel the pain of two hurricanes, as Americans still reel 
from questions about the role that race and poverty played in the 
government response to these devastating hurricanes, we must stand 
sentry against any hint of racism, any indication of injustice, any 
moment of intolerance. Now is not the time for divisive comments, now 
is the time for coming together, now is the time for healing.
  What could possibly have possessed Secretary Bennett to say those 
words, especially at this time? What could he possibly have been 
thinking? This is what is so alarming about his words.
  I urge President Bush to renounce his statement, and I call on 
Secretary Bennett to apologize. I encourage my Republican colleagues to 
join me on the House floor to reject these words and to speak for a 
future of tolerance and equality. I invite Secretary Bennett and other 
Republicans to join Democrats in creating solutions to national

[[Page 21897]]

problems and meeting national needs. It is very sad, because children 
do study the words that are said on the floor of the House of 
Representatives, and these words are very shameful.
  But words are shameful, too, that deny children the education they 
need, the health care they deserve, economic security for their 
families, a clean environment where they have clean air and clean water 
and safe food to eat; and when we deprive them of that we are insulting 
them, but these words are a direct hit at them. Secretary Bennett is a 
writer. He knows that words have power. He knows how powerful these 
particular words are. An apology is definitely in order, and a 
rejection of these remarks also is in order from the President of the 
United States.

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