Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this budget resolution because of its deep cuts in education. In the House Republicans' report on the budget for fiscal year 1997, they stated that: [E]ducation is a top priority for the Nation. It is the means by which individuals develop the skills, knowledge, and sense of responsibility to pursue their own personal destinies and participate in their communities. It is the key that unlocks the door to higher-skilled, better-paying jobs for those seeking to break out of poverty. It is the source of highly trained workers, who are crucial to keeping the Nation competitive in an increasingly technical global economy. Then why are my Republican colleagues seeking a decrease of $2.1 billion compared to the freeze level for discretionary education, training, employment and social services programs? These cuts will include the elimination of 31 education programs including funding for Howard University, Innovative Education Program Strategies, State Student Incentive Grants, and new funding for student loans. Furthermore, they are seeking to cut funding for student loans by $3.7 billion over the next 6 years. Cutting the job training and education programs by $1.1 billion below the 1996 enacted levels. How can individuals break out of poverty through education if they cannot afford to enroll in school or receive job training. Is this how they treat a top priority for the Nation that is the means by which individuals develop the skills, knowledge, and sense of responsibility to pursue their own personal destinies? Now, I truly understand why I was taught growing up in Mississippi that you listen to a person's words but you judge him by his actions. Mr. Speaker, I hope that in November the American public will use my childhood lesson and listen to the words of the Republicans but vote based on their actions. Finally, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of deep concern for our children, senior citizens and the working poor. This budget is deja vu all over again. I thought that the leadership learned a lesson last year when they shut down the Government and lost favor in the eyes of the American people but here we go again with the same old gimmickry. Just like last year, they are using the annual report published by the Medicare Board of Trustees to justify these extreme cuts in Medicare, while everyone knows that these cuts are going to used to pay for the tax cuts they plan to bestow on their wealthy friends. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would have the American people believe that they are doing seniors a favor by causing them to have to choose between going to the doctor and buying groceries. This is no favor it is a vicious attack on the Nation's elderly. There are over 388,000 medicare beneficiaries in Mississippi and this bill will have a devastating impact on them. Mr. Speaker, because this budget is just like the old one, more than 6 million families with children will see a reduction in the earned income tax credit. This is a credit that goes to working families and is not a welfare payment. To take this credit away from working families makes about as much sense as asking the Bulls to play without Michael Jordan tonight. Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day when we are forced to stand before the American people as leaders and speak out to protect the most vulnerable people in our society against an irresponsible plan that would cause undue pain. I urge a ``no'' vote on this budget resolution.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern for the increasing number of churches that have been destroyed by arson over the past 3 years. The burnings of New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Ruleville, MI and Elbethel Church in Sartartia, MI which are in my Congressional District as well as St. Paul AME Church in Hatley, MI constantly reminds me of that early Sunday morning in 1963 when a church in Birmingham, AL was firebombed killing four little girls while they were attending Sunday School. As many of my colleagues will agree, this was a horrible crime and to allow this episode to remain unchecked in 1996 would be an atrocity. Mr. Speaker, we must make a concerted effort to assure the American people that the church is a sanctuary from the violence which is rampant in society, and not a place where God-fearing Americans should fear for their lives. While many of us would like to believe that the days of Jim Crow and hate crimes are a part of the past, to others these church bombings are evidence that the brutal, destructive force of racism and intolerance is alive and growing in America. While Federal law enforcement officials conclude that they have found no evidence of these crimes being racially motivated, I cannot, knowing the history of the Ku Klux Klan, the Skinheads, the White Aryan Resistance, and the Christian Identity movement, wholeheartedly believe that these church burnings are more than coincidental. Knowing that most of the bombings happening in southern States, gives a lot of credence to the theory that they have been perpetrated by the purveyors of hate and division. Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to do all within its power to see that these acts of violence are fully investigated and these criminals are brought to justice. Let's make our churches, temples, and mosques a safe place to worship.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Republican budget due to the fact that it cuts deeply into programs that help children, seniors, and working people. This budget will have a devastating effect on my constituents in the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Cutting $72 billion in Medicaid will decimate nursing home residents and cause many seniors to be put on the streets. This is a mean-spirited effort and is equivalent to Robin Hood in reverse. While the Republican majority refuses to raise the minimum wage, they insist on reducing the earned income tax credit. The only help available for working-class Americans, the earned income tax credit, goes to people who work, not people relying on welfare. This is very unfair and a slap in the face. Of the persons who receive earned income tax credit in Mississippi, 234,000 had a gross income of under $15,000. This is about 25 percent of the working families in Mississippi-- 63,000, Mr. Chairman, live in my district. I urge opposition to the budget.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special recognition to the Jackson State University [JSU] golf team. JSU is a Historically Black University located in Jackson, MS and recently won its eighth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC] golf championship. This unprecedented accomplishment is a result of hard work and determination. When JSU travels to the University of Michigan to participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] District 6 Central Region playoffs later this month, they will once again be making history as the first HBCU to be invited to participate in the golf playoffs. Eddie Payton is in his tenth year as JSU's golf coach. He currently holds a career record of 70 wins with 19 losses while compiling a 54-5 record in SWAC play, including a 52-0 record in the last eight years. He has garnered the SWAC Coach of the Year award eight times and the National Coach of the Year award twice. Coach Payton also had a stellar football career both at Jackson State University and in the National Football League. As a member of the Detroit Lions, he once returned a punt for 89 yards for a touchdown and a kick 99 yards scoring twice in the same game while a member of the NFL's Detroit Lions. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating Coach Payton and the JSU golf team for their enormous success during the 1996 season.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak to you about the leader of the Republican revolution. Over the last year, we have watched House Republicans line up behind Speaker Gingrich, marching in step, barking out the dogma of this so-called revolution. This whole incident reminds me of a story from when I was child. You see Mr. Speaker, once upon a time there was an emperor who needed some new clothes. When a con-artist of a tailor convinced the Emperor that the outfit he designed for the King was the latest fashion, the King marched proudly out into his kingdom receiving praise and accolades for his new suit. All of a sudden a small child approached the King and told him he was naked, that he was not wearing clothes. Although Democrats have been saying this all year, last night the House Ethics Committee unanimously told Emperor Newt that he was not wearing any clothes. They found that he was guilty of violating three House rules. They appointed special counsel to investigate improper conduct. They sent him a scathing letter denouncing his actions on numerous other accounts. But stay tuned. We have not even started on chapter 2: ``Nasty Newt and the GOPAC Gang''

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Jackson, MS, Advocate newspaper, also recognized as the voice of black Mississippians. The Advocate was founded in 1939 in Jackson, MS, by Mr. Percy Greene, a World War I veteran. The Advocate was founded out of the necessity for African-American voices to be heard. During the period when the mainstream media consistently denied African-Americans the opportunity to communicate through the press or to be acknowledged in a positive manner, the Advocate became the avenue by which African- Americans presented their side of the story. In the struggle to gain civil rights, the Advocate was very assertive in connecting African- Americans throughout Mississippi. The drummer changed but the beat goes on. The Advocate has been under the ownership of Mr. Charles Tisdale since 1978 and continues to keep Mississippians informed about issues as they relate to the African- American community. Mr. Tisdale continues the tradition of acknowledging any African-Americans who contribute to the community and highlighting those who attempt to deny opportunities to the African- American community. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the outstanding contributions that Mr. Tisdale has made in this respect to the State of Mississippi. Mr. Tisdale continues to keep the [[Page E 2132]] Jackson Advocate on the cutting edge providing Mississippi with complete and objective reporting on those issues that are so vital to the progress of our State.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to convey the frustrations that so many senior citizens expressed to me while I was in my district the past weekend. I can picture one of the seniors who approached me and begged, ``please do not let them take my only source of medical insurance away, I can't afford to pay a dime more.'' This little lady was talking about the increase in her Medicare premiums that is being proposed by the Republican Congress. Madam Speaker, this lady's request resonated throughout the Second Congressional District in Mississippi. These seniors cannot afford to pay more so that those wealthy Americans can receive a tax break. Can you imagine a poor senior citizen, receiving only $400 a month in Social Security income, who currently spends $46.10 a month for health care premiums now having to pay $97.70? That's over a 100-percent increase in premiums. That's outrageous. That's cruel. Is this the Government that was created by the people and for the people? The question now is, which people? Ask a low-income senior citizen and they will tell you: the rich people. How can we, as responsible Members of Congress, advocate raising a poor senior citizen's premium to pay for a tax cut for those Americans who can live without it. This is not democracy but hypocrisy. The Republican plan to cut $270 billion out of Medicare is a cruel and devastating attack on our mothers and grandmothers. Do you really think that your rich friends need a tax cut this much? I do not think so. Republicans please think about what you are doing and spare the pain that you are causing our seniors with your tax hike on their Medicare. The over 388,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Mississippi beg you not to jeopardize their health insurance. Let us not make these seniors choose between food and medical care.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observation of World Mental Health Week. This week has been set aside to focus on the mental health disorders that affect millions of people all over the world. Researchers have concluded that nearly one in three Americans will experience a mental disorder during his or her lifetime. Mental disorders can strike cruelly, producing hallucinations, paranoia, depression, panic, obsessions and can even lead some to suicide. Some people with serious mental illnesses experience moderate problems that respond well to immediate treatment. Others have severe problems that continue over a long period of time. The population affected with serious mental illness is a diverse group with different diagnoses levels and durations of disability. Therefore, the needs of this group can be very different. Because of these disorders, many individuals are unable to complete their education, maintain employment, or lead productive lives. The realities of mental disorders demand the attention and cooperative efforts of those involved in the development and planning of necessary comprehensive health, social services, housing, and disability policy. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognition of Mental Health Week.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great joy and admiration that I salute the faculty, staff, parents, students, and friends of Adhiambo School in Jackson, MS. Adhiambo which was founded in 1979 is a refreshing alternative to the traditional American school system. The school curriculum is aimed to perpetuate moral attitudes and values by developing children's personalities and characters and instilling brotherliness, kindliness and charity. The school provides a nurturing environment while offering a challenging curriculum. During a time when so many negative forces plague our communities, Adhiambo motivates our children through positive cultural images and experiences. It is rewarding to recognize a success story in the educational system when so many school systems are in decay. Today there are a tremendous number of children in the Nation who do not have the basic tools needed to learn and are not motivated to learn. Adhiambo's students are an exception and they are worthy of praise. Even more astounding is the fact that on December 5, 1994, the building which housed Adhiambo was completely burned down, yet the spirits of the students and staff persevered. On June 27, 1995, Adhiambo moved into its new home and all studies have resumed.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call to the attention of my colleagues and to the attention of the American people, a very historic action taken earlier this year by the Legislature of my State of Mississippi. A century and three decades ago, in 1865, the 38th Congress proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end the inhumane practice of slavery--uniformly, throughout the entire Nation. Within a matter of months, the proposal had received the required approval of the legislatures of three-fourths of the States then in the Union and it resultantly became the Constitution's 13th amendment. It also was during that pivotal year of 1865, that both houses of the Mississippi Legislature adopted a resolution rejecting, denouncing, and condemning the constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. Thus, the 13th amendment [[Page E 1768]] had made its way into the Constitution without Mississippi's official approval. As for the ensuing 130 years, that resolution of rejection remained the Mississippi Legislature's official pronouncement on the 13th amendment. Indeed, for many years, Mississippi's was the only State legislature--in the Union well before and long after that particular constitutional amendment was proposed and ratified--never to approve it. But all of that changed earlier this year. An undotted historical ``i'' and an uncrossed social ``t'' were duly dotted and crossed when the Mississippi Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 547 on March 16, 1995, to not only postratify the 13th amendment but, also, to finally rescind the embarrassing 1865 resolution of rejection.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 100 Black Men of Jackson, MS who hosted the 100 Black Men of America National Convention July 10 through 15, 1995 in Jackson, MS. This organization is a welcome force in the Jackson community. Members volunteer their time and effort to work with economically disadvantaged youths. They visit schools, take students to their place of employment and entertainment events that introduce them to a segment of life that they would not ordinarily get an opportunity to come in contact with. Members of the Jackson, MS chapter include college presidents, a congressman, businessmen, clergymen, doctors, lawyers, and many other professionals. The national organization was founded in 1976, and strives to improve the quality of life for African-Americans and other minorities. This organization, not only defines problems but attacks them head on. Through its mentoring program, the organization serves as role models for low-income African-American males from single parent households. Many of these youths are becoming first generation college students. The African-American community is plagued by alarming statistics indicating that 50 percent of U.S. black males drop out of high school and that, more black males are involved with the criminal justice system, either in prison, on probation or parole, than in college. These statistics emphasize the need more than ever for the 100 Black Men. Please join me in saluting the 100 Black Men of Jackson, MS.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize Jamaine A. Fry of Tutwiler, MS. Jamaine was a 12-year-old student at the West District Middle School in Sumner MS. Shortly after midnight on June 6, 1995, this young man was awakened to discover the living room wall in the family's apartment was in flames. He quickly alerted his mother and other family members, and helped them escape to safety. Jamaine died from smoke inhalation after re-entering the apartment thinking a family member was still inside. Today, I salute Jamaine A. Fry for bravery. The example of his courage and love will remain as a source of continued inspiration to his family, friends, and the community of Tutwiler, MS.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of President Lee Teng-hui. Following many months of congressional support, President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China on Taiwan was allowed the opportunity to give the Olin lecture at Cornell University on June 9, 1995. He spoke of his student days at Cornell and especially of the many accomplishments of his country. President Lee touched upon Taiwan's economic triumphs, political reforms, respect for human rights and prospects for reunification with the Chinese mainland. He remarked: Today, the institutions of democracy are in place in the Republic of China; human rights are respected and protected to a very high degree. Democracy is thriving in my country. No speech or act allowed by law will be subject to any restriction or interference. Different and opposing views are heard every day in the news media. * * * Thus the needs and wishes of my people have been my guiding light every step of the way. I only hope that the leaders in the mainland are able one day to be similarly guided, since then our achievements in Taiwan can most certainly help the process of economic liberalization and the cause of democracy in mainland China. President Lee delivered an outstanding lecture at Cornell University. His heart was always with his country and with his people. President Lee extended his love to his Chinese compatriots on the Chinese mainland: We believe that mutual respect will gradually lead to the peaceful reunification of China under a system of democracy, freedom and equitable distribution of wealth. * * * To demonstrate our sincerity and goodwill, I have already indicated on other occasions that I would welcome an opportunity for leaders from the mainland to meet their counterparts from Taiwan during the occasion of some international event, and I would not even rule out the possibility of a meeting between Mr. Jiang Zemin and myself. I believe President Lee is absolutely sincere in reaching out to the leaders in Beijing. I too hope that Taiwan and the mainland will one day end their ideological struggles and be reunited as one free democratic country. Thank you.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize two constituents from the Second Congressional District in Mississippi. The Rev. Benjamin Ashford, Jr., pastor of Raspberry Chapel United Methodist Church, and Ms. Ada Brown, a retired teacher in Indianola, MI, were recently in Washington to receive the ``Make a Difference Day Award'' from the USA weekend magazine. These two constituents are to be honored for their diligence and determination in making a difference in their community. Reverend Ashford and Ms. Brown have devoted much time and effort to eliminating teenage pregnancy as well as encouraging teen mothers to continue their studies and graduate from high school. Instead of merely preaching sexual abstinence, Reverend Ashford and Ms. Brown use interactive instruction to provide young people with the skills needed to be assertive in saying ``no.''.'' Mr. Speaker, these are the types of leaders, though there are many, who so often go unrecognized. I take extreme pleasure in recognizing Reverend Ashford and Ms. Brown.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of concern for the reputation of this institution. It is devastating when the Speaker of the House of Representatives does not stand by his words. Newt Gingrich announced earlier this year that he would not sign his book deal with Rupert Murdoch until the Ethics Committee had approved the contract. The jury is still out. And what has the Speaker done? He has ignored the Ethics Committee and signed the contract anyway. Maybe the Speaker knows something that we do not know. Is it because every single Republican on the Ethics Committee has a conflict of interest in the Speaker's case? Is it likely that they cannot be credible as judge and jury? Mr. Speaker, how can Newt Gingrich make such an outrageous claim, that if the Ethics Committee has not finished its deliberations, then he will assume that no rules have been broken. The Ethics Committee clearly said to the Speaker not to make such an absurd assumption. Once again, the Speaker has demonstrated that he will not allow the Rules or the Ethics Committee to stand in the way of his multi-million-dollar book deal. Is this the same person who led the call for an investigation of the former Speaker of the House, Jim Wright? I ask today, out of fairness to the American people, appoint an outside counsel. What's good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. I thank the gentleman. Being one of the five Members from the State of Mississippi here in Congress, I was very happy to see the Mississippi State legislature finally get around to taking the slavery law off the books. My point here is there are so many things in America we have to correct so that even by taking slavery off the books, that is the first step. But if you look at my State again we have more black elected officials than any other State, and you would assume, rightfully so, that that is something to be proud of and we are. But the fact is that had to go to court to give African-Americans in Mississippi the opportunity to elect the candidates of their tying this into affirmative action and civil rights. We have to have laws that encourage people to do the right thing. Affirmative action encourages individuals to do the right thing. But the broader issue is leadership. The cop-out is to say we do not need affirmative action, we are in a color-blind society, there should be no preferences given. But that is not leadership. Leadership recognizes the fact that there is a history in this country that a lot of us are not proud of, but we are men and women composing a Congress who are willing to bite the bullet and correct the past evils. Leadership dictates making the difficult decisions, not running from them.

Mr. THOMPSON. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman from South Carolina, I thank him for convening this special order, but also I would like to associate myself with the comments made by my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas. Clearly, affirmative action is on the minds of everyone in this country. We cannot let it fall victim to a certain radical element in this country that would like to turn back the progress that has been made. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, as we talk about affirmative action, let us be very clear that it was created because a void was in this country as it related to employment, as it related to business, and as it related to minority participation in the broadest spectrum of life. As the gentleman indicated, all of the Presidents since the early sixties have affirmed through Executive order that affirmative action should be the law of the land. This is the greatest country in the world. We cannot fall victim to that radical element that would like to move us back, away from affirmative action. The lack of minorities in the workplace is well documented. If we talk to anyone, as they discuss affirmative action, we all agree that affirmative action has not made the dent that we would like for it to make, but we cannot argue that black people are better off without affirmative action, because they are not. However, more importantly than the statistics, affirmative action for the first time has allowed minorities in the board rooms, employment in Fortune 500 companies, and basically, to become involved in the entire fabric of America, so we really cannot allow ourselves to deny minorities, women, or whomever, an opportunity to participate in the entire melting pot of America. Also, Mr. Speaker, what we have to do is understand that the notion of affirmative action at no point signifies less than acceptable standards for participation. None of us here would ever, ever argue that if a job is available, that we should give it to a less qualified individual. If a contract is available, we should not give that contract to anybody other than some who can perform it, not to a less qualified contractor. Basically, business is better off. As business participates in affirmative action, business increases. You and I know businesses, Coca-Cola, IBM, a lot of major corporations who have recognized the need for diversity in the workplace. They have diversified their work force, but they also have increased their business by diversifying, Mr. Speaker, business, believe it or not, in this country is better off with affirmative action. However, the notion of quotas is really a misnomer in this definition, because we are not talking about quotas, but the opposition to affirmative action tries to bring the cue word into the debate. However, if we look at quotas in business, all businesses operate on quotas. They talk about you have to perform certain businesses functions, you have to have certain targets. A number of issues relating to quotas for businesses are very positive. Sometimes people try to say businesses are against quotas. But in order for businesses to be successful, they have to have certain quotas that their employees have to meet in terms of productivity. It is a positive. So as we look at the term ``quota,'' we look at it as goal-setting, as targeting, and not something negative. Businesses understand that quotas are important. A part of that, Mr. Chairman, bringing affirmative action to the business place has also diversified employment. It is important that corporate America reflect this country. If corporate America is insensitive to all of us here, then we are not doing what is in the best interests of this country. Last, let me put forth the notion that this country supposedly by trying to shoot down affirmative action is responding to last November's election. Supposedly the angry white males in this country feel that they have been given a raw deal, or made to be somehow second class. That is not the notion of affirmative action. We ascribe and do so in concert as a group here tonight that affirmative action is a very positive step for this country. So those individuals who might see it as a negative, we hope that you will not continue to do that, that affirmative action is positive, it is healthy, and there are no statistics that I have been able to see nor have we been able to garner even from the opposition that affirmative action is not a good tool for alleviating discrimination and bringing about diversity in the workplace. I yield back to the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Clyburn] so that we can begin the dialog that is so desperately needed to bring some reason to the debate rather than the hysteria that we hear so often from the people on the radical right.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Less than 1 percent.

Mr. THOMPSON. I guess that is part of the reason we are trying to have this dialog tonight, is try to get the discussion back on focus so that the general public can understand what we are talking about. Some of the statistics I want to share with both my colleagues on this subject that might shed a little more light to it, talk about if African-Americans had parity with whites in America, what would those numbers look like? Well, if we had parity as African Americans in this country with whites, the average black family income would be $19,568 higher per year. If we had parity among black males, the income would be $8,500 per year. The female parity number is 2,000. But the net worth is almost $40,000, so that means that in America right now that net worth of a white household is $40,000 higher than the average black household. So, Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues, ``When you talk about parity, you have to talk about things being equal, and, as you've talked, Mr. Hillard and my colleagues, Congressman Clyburn, also, that when we talk about affirmative action, we're talking about describing for the sake of remedy a solution to past wrongs, and none of us disagree with the fact that, as we look across this country there are some things that we're not proud.'' But I am happy to be part of the solution by trying to factor in certain solutions that would make things equal. So, as we talk about parity in this affirmative action, I hope our colleagues who differ with us do not differ with the numbers because the numbers speak for themselves.

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, is the gentleman saying that all this discussion that we are hearing about quotas as it relates to affirmative action, that there are no laws that the gentleman can identify at this point that talk about quotas, that that for the most part has always been a remedy addressed by the courts?

Mr. THOMPSON. Tonight, Mr. Speaker, several of my colleagues and I will talk on affirmative action. Last week, as you know, we started talking about it, Congressman Clyburn and some others, and we will be moving forward as the night goes on. What I would like to do, though, is start until my colleagues come to say that as most of us know, this is a real difficult issue that is grasping the whole country. We would like to make sure that as the dialog continues that everyone would look upon affirmative action as something that clearly is the litmus test for us all. Congressman Clyburn, who is coming in as I talk, will lead the discussion on the historical approach to affirmative action along with some other Members. Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to realize that affirmative action is a key discussion going on. In all States, there are discussions taking place saying whether or not this country is colorblind or whether or not we should move forward with affirmative action at all. Clearly it is a divisive issue. It is an issue that all of us are concerned about. The Congressional Black Caucus, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, all organizations of good will, have started looking at this issue and are very concerned about it. Clearly what we would like to do tonight, and my colleague the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Clyburn] is here, is begin the discussion on historical perspective around affirmative action in this country and from that we will move forward. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Clyburn], after which time I will retain the hour.

Mr. THOMPSON. I thank the gentleman, What I would like to do is yield to my colleague, the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Hilliard], who will further enlighten us on the discussion of affirmative action.

Mr. THOMPSON. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Clyburn]. Tonight we have tried to put in perspective some of the issues around the affirmative action debate. I would like to thank Congressman Payne, Congressman Clyburn, and Congressman Hilliard for joining me in this special order. Mr. Speaker, if I am permitted, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California [Mr. Farr] who has joined us at this time.

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. We look forward to his leadership in the Congressional Black Caucus on this and other issues. Clearly, as the gentleman has said, this is the issue at this point that all of America is talking and wondering about. We know the debate will be fast and furious as the days come, but clearly, the CBC, along with other organizations of good will, are committed to making sure that this country remains strong and committed to equal opportunity for all. Therefore, we compliment you and your leadership in the CBC, and look forward to having that debate for the entire American public.