[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
[August 4, 1995]
[Page 1203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the 30th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
August 4, 1995

    This Sunday, August 6, 1995, marks the 30th anniversary of the 
Voting Rights Act, guaranteeing the right to vote to all Americans, 
regardless of race. Passed by a bipartisan majority in Congress and 
signed by President Lyndon Johnson after years of struggle, the Voting 
Rights Act has correctly been recognized as the single most important 
civil rights law our Nation has ever adopted. It was accomplished 
through the sacrifice of thousands of Americans of all colors who 
courageously faced down a terrible injustice.
    At the time the Voting Rights Act was enacted, people of color in 
many parts of the country were denied the right to exercise the most 
fundamental right of American democracy--the right to vote. African-
American voter registration was practically non-existent in many areas 
due to an organized system of disenfranchisement, often backed by brutal 
intimidation, designed to fence people out of the political process.
    In the 30 years since the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, 
minority registration rates have soared and thousands of people who once 
could not get elected simply because of the color of their skin are 
serving in Congress, State houses, and city halls throughout the 
country.
    More important than those results, however, has been the effect of 
opening our democracy to all Americans. The Voting Rights Act guarantees 
that no American need ever again be afraid to register to vote, no 
American need ever again fear the walk to the polling place, no American 
need ever again fear that their vote is not wanted or will not count.
    In signing the law, President Johnson said, ``This act flows from a 
clear and simple wrong. Its only purpose is to right that wrong . . . 
The wrong is one which no American, in his heart, can justify. The right 
is one which no American, true to our principles, can deny.''
    On this 30th anniversary, my administration reaffirms its commitment 
to the full enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. We must continue to 
protect the right of every American to fully participate in the 
electoral process. I challenge Americans of all races and colors to 
rededicate ourselves to exercising our precious right to vote. Voting is 
the oxygen of democracy, and millions of Americans have given their last 
breath to keep that right alive. So, even as we celebrate 30 years of 
righting a terrible wrong, we must keep working to make sure that 30 
years from now, every American over the age of 18 is a voting American.