WHEREAS:
Our nation's history provides many disturbing examples of rich and powerful citizens placing barriers of discrimination in the way of the poor and disenfranchised; and
WHEREAS:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law to address the voting rights of African-Americans, who were routinely subjected to "tests and devices" designed to deny them their vote; and
WHEREAS:
The National Commission on the Voting Rights Act issued a report in February of 2006, showing that discriminatory practices are highly prevalent in the 21st century, specifically:
- polling places and voting hours in minority neighborhoods are frequently changed shortly before elections;
- election officials have illegally purged voter lists and refused to translate materials for non-English speaking voters;
- rates of voting practice complaints are higher in this reporting period (1982-2004) than in the previous one (1965-1982); and
WHEREAS:
The report concluded that "the evidence ... strongly suggests that the two major problems which have been the focus of the Act - restricted ballot access and minority vote dilution - continue in twenty-first century America;" and
WHEREAS:
Portions of this Act will expire in 2007, and will be eligible for renewal by the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS:
Esteemed participants in the National Commission include the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund; the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN); the Black Leadership Forum; the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; the NAACP National Voter Fund; the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium; the National Congress of American Indians; the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; Rock the Vote; and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME International and its affiliates supported this extension and commend all members of the United States Congress who voted accordingly.
SUBMITTED BY: Gerri Jackson, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2244, Council 88
Pennsylvania
Jeanette D. Wynn, President and Delegate
AFSCME Council 79
Jeanette H. Bartley, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1328, Council 79
T. Arthur Finley, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1279, Council 79
Florida