In Recognition of the Passage of the Ban the Box Act

Floor Speech

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Minnesota Senator Bobby Joe Champion's accomplishment in passing the ``Ban the Box'' Act in the Minnesota Legislature. Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008 and the Minnesota Senate in 2012, Senator Champion is a recognized lawyer, activist, and legislator. He has a long list of legislative accomplishments, including spearheading the Bottineau Corridor transit project, advocating for the creation of the Minnesota African-American History Museum, and supporting the renovation of Nicollet Mall and Orchestra Hall.

One of Senator Champion's most important contributions has been helping those with a criminal record reintegrate successfully into their communities. Senator Champion is the author of the ``Ban the Box'' Act, which prohibits employers from asking the job applicant whether he or she has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, with a few exceptions for sensitive positions. The ``Ban the Box'' Act is a crucial step forward in the fight against poverty and the effort to reduce recidivism.

The past crimes of former felons often follow them throughout their lives, preventing them from getting jobs ten, twenty, or even thirty years later. Job applicants who have finished serving criminal sentences face many challenges and few opportunities to restart their lives, making recidivism rates high.

The ``Ban the Box'' Act targets the main reason people who have committed a felony never have a chance at a job--a check off box on a job application that asks the applicant to state whether he or she has ever committed a felony. By barring employers from asking this question on a job application, the Act allows individuals with criminal histories to stand on their own merits. The ``Ban the Box'' Act will provide employment opportunities to those who have served their sentence, raising their quality of life and their chance for success and leading to reduced crime.

Through Bobby Joe Champion's leadership and perseverance, this legislation passed both the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives with accolades from both sides of the aisle, and was signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 13, 2013.

I commend Senator Champion for his important work on Minnesota's historic ``Ban the Box'' legislation.

Source