Statement of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver on the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: Celebrating the Past and Looking to the Future

Statement

Statement of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver on the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: Celebrating the Past and Looking to the Future

By U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked a milestone in the fight for civil rights, and the principles on which it stands--equality and the opportunity--granted all people the right to voice their opinion, regardless of skin color. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which was signed into law August 6, 1965, it is imperative that we continue to keep these principles alive at the ballot box.

The Supreme Court noted: "No right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws, under which, as good citizens, we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined."

Yet, for a hundred years after the Civil War, millions of African Americans were denied this fundamental right, as states used poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses--as well as violence--to prevent them from casting their ballot. My own grandfather was a victim of these injustices, and as a young boy growing up in Texas, I saw how so many African Americans of his generation never voted for fear of what might happen should they dare exercise their right.

As an adult, I became active in the fight for civil rights through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the effort to secure voting rights for all people was one of our most important goals. It was not an easy fight, and many people suffered degradation, injury and even death. On March 7, 1965, the country witnessed a particularly chilling event when non-violent protestors who gathered in Selma, Alabama were beaten and attacked. The incident was so brutal it was dubbed "Bloody Sunday," and its severity stirred the conscience of the nation.

Congress responded, and under the leadership of President Lyndon Johnson, the Voting Rights Act was passed, prohibiting any practice that would abridge the right to vote on the basis of race including: poll taxes, literacy tests, voter harassment, intimidation, language barriers, racial gerrymandering and other tools of disenfranchisement. It also provided for criminal and civil sanctions against persons interfering with the right to vote.

The law also required state and local political divisions with a documented history of discrimination to submit any potential changes to their voting laws to the U.S. Attorney General or to federal judges for "pre-clearance" or approval before the laws take effect, thereby ensuring that the federal government has the essential ability to prevent discriminatory voting laws.

In 1975, we continued to fortify the right to vote by amending the Voting Rights Act to require bilingual ballots and voting assistance in areas with limited-English speaking populations, as English-only ballots had the effect of serving as literacy tests for Latinos and Native Americans who were non-English speaking voters. The law was also amended in 1982 to protect the rights of voters with disabilities.

While our country has come a long way in ensuring each citizen has the opportunity to vote, there is still work to be done. Even today, thousands of minorities experience voter suppression. For instance, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights concluded that widespread voter disenfranchisement took place in Florida in the 2000 presidential election, not only among African American voters, but also among thousands of Spanish-speaking voters.

That is why it is critical we reauthorize and strengthen sections of the Voting Rights Act that are set to expire in 2007, such as the "pre-clearance" provisions and bilingual standards. Unfortunately, there are some proposals in Congress that would actually serve to undermine the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act and create more voting barriers for many minorities across the country. Therefore, I will carefully examine all proposals to renew or alter the Voting Rights Act to ensure all Americans are afforded the opportunity to be part of a free and fair election.

The right to vote is the story of our nation, and its core values of equality and opportunity are part of America's foundation. During my time as a civil rights activist, I never would have predicted I would one day be elected to the United States Congress. It is because of the Voting Rights Act that I have been able to join a growing number of minorities serving as elected officials. In the House of Representatives alone, I serve with 80 other members of African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American descent.

As we observe the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we reflect on the great strides our country has made toward ensuring the fundamental right to vote for all Americans. But it is also a time to evaluate what else can be done to guarantee each and every citizen has an equal opportunity to cast their ballot and participate in the shaping of America's history.

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