Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following
statement at a news conference this morning to unveil an amicus brief filed by
Congressman John Conyers of Michigan and more than 60 House Democrats this
week. The brief expresses support for the University of Michigan's admissions
policies that are being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court:
"Thank you, Mr. Conyers, for your leadership in supporting affirmative action.
And my thanks to all of my colleagues who are joining us here today, and to so
many distinguished alumni of the great University of Michigan.
"We are proud that America is a land of opportunity. We are all proud that in
America, a child from a humble background can become a corporate leader, a
university president, a renowned musician, or an astronaut. And we are proud
that in America, we recognize the barriers to opportunity, and we work
together to overcome them.
"Race and poverty, together or separately, too often pose insurmountable
barriers to Americans who seek to better their lives and contribute to
society.
"Affirmative action in education gives students a ladder to climb over the
barriers to opportunity. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration wants to haul
that ladder away.
"At the same time, the Administration is carting away the other tools that
students could use to live their dreams. The Administration has labeled more
than 8,000 high-poverty schools as failing, but it denies the funding promised
to turn those schools around - falling short by more than $6 billion dollars.
"The President's budget cuts after-school programs by 40 percent. It freezes
Pell Grants, even as the cost of higher education climbs. Sadly, these are
just a few examples of the tools that the President is taking away from
minority and disadvantaged children and youth.
"It is encouraging to see the groundswell of support for the University of
Michigan's affirmative action program. Fortune 500 companies, labor unions,
other universities, and former military officials - these and many more are
standing up for opportunity for all Americans. They know that in our diversity
is our greatest strength.
"In America, the beauty is in the mix. From that beauty flows our moral
strength, our boundless creativity, and our versatility. We must not give that
beauty up. We must not deprive our young people of the opportunity for
greatness."
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