OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2123, School Readiness Act of 2005 (1)

Date: Sept. 28, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Minors and Children Employment and Affirmative Action Education


PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2123, SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 28, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005

Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to oppose the Boustany amendment and all the explicit discrimination it represents.

Mr. BOUSTANY's proposal fundamentally changes Head Start hiring and firing protections provided for Head Start teachers and staff by Federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws. If this amendment passes, this would be the first time Congress has acted on the House Floor to specifically repeal civil rights protections established to combat discrimination.

The amendment is a blatant attack on civil rights. And, it is offensive to Americans who value equal rights and justice, and to the many of us who are strong people of faith.

This amendment would allow faith-based organizations that receive Federal Head Start dollars to discriminate in the hiring and firing of Head Start employees simply based on religion. These changes could also affect Head Start parents who might serve as volunteers or advisory board members for their children's Head Start program.

And these acts of discrimination would be paid for with U.S. taxpayer dollars!

In addition, this amendment changes Federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws in the Head Start Act. The effects of these changes on the rights of women and people with disabilities are unclear. Certainly the questions surrounding this possible reduction in rights should be answered before we undo hard-fought civil rights protections.

Let us be clear. Faith-based organizations currently are providing Head Start services. I support faith-based organizations. Their missions and their work are valued by all of us. This amendment provides no additionl opportunities to faith-based Head Start providers. It simply provides them the explicit right to discriminate based on religion using taxpayer dollars.

Mr. Speaker, Head Start is a program intended to reduce barriers and to provide increased opportunities and equality for low-income children and their families. It is shameful that some of my colleagues are acting today to reduce opportunities and increase barriers for Head Start families.

I urge my colleagues--don't give discrimination a Head Start. Oppose this dangerous amendment.

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