Response to Secretary Bennett's Comments

RESPONSE TO SECRETARY BENNETT'S COMMENTS -- (House of Representatives - September 29, 2005)

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 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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