TOM HARKIN: A CRUSADER FOR CIVIL RIGHTS "In the area of civil rights, silence is tantamount to acquiescence; procrastination equivalent to acceptance; and symbolism a rationalization for inaction." Tom Harkin Remarks on Civil Rights October 1989 "Mr. Bush is turning the party of Abraham Lincoln into the party of David Duke. Using race as a wedge issue saps our collective will to improve our nation's economic and social well-being and to hire and promote the best and the brightest." Tom Harkin Remarks on the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 October, 1991 It has been more than a quarter of a century since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law. While great strides have been made since 1964, more still needs to be done to ensure that all people are treated equally. Discrimination because of race, religion, gender, or disability is still a scar on American society. During his tenure in Congress, Tom Harkin has taken the lead to make sure that all citizens have equal protection under the law. His compassion and understanding for victims of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, creed, or sexual orientation are unparalleled. BREAKlNG NEW GROUND Tom Harkin was the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, omnibus civil rights legislation that ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities, including people with AIDS, in such areas as unemployment, public accommodations, public services (including public transportation), and telecommunications. Tom Harkin has referred to the ADA as the "20th Century Emancipation Proclamation for people with disabilities." The disability community has referred to the ADA as the most important legislation affecting the lives of people with disabilities that Congress will ever consider. PUTTING AN END TO DISCRIMINATION Tom Harkin was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which overturns seven damaging Supreme Court decisions and expands remedies available for women and people with disabilities to make them more comparable to remedies enjoyed by minorities. Tom Harkin played a key role in the passage and successful veto override of the Civil Rights Restoration Act, a bill that overturned the Supreme Court's Grove City decision and prohibited institution-wide discrimination by recipients of federal aid. To eradicate housing discrimination, he helped win passage and enactment of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1987. Tom Harkin supported the Voting Rights Act, legislation to curb the use of discriminatory practices to limit voter participation. Tom Harkin also supported legislation which made Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday. To encourage minority businesses, he helped create a pilot program for the development of minority-owned small businesses. Tom Harkin supported the Hate Crimes legislation, which directs the Department of Justice to gather data on violent crimes committed on the basis of race, religion, and sexual orientation. A supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment throughout his congressional career, Tom Harkin believes the ERA is one of the most important measures to help end sexual discrimination. To end discrimination based on national origin, Tom Harkin supported efforts to strengthen immigration reform legislation. Tom Harkin opposes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and supports an executive order outlawing discrimination against gays and lesbians in the military. Tom Harkin wrote legislation to overturn a Supreme Court decision that limited a disabled child's right to secure an appropriate remedy against a State that violated his or her rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Tom Harkin has supported the imposition of sanctions against the apartheid system in South Africa and opposes the lifting of sanctions until fuli political participation is enjoyed by all South Africans. Tom Harkin joined a majority of his colleagues in voting against the confirmation of Robert Bork to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He also voted against the confirmation of Clarence Thomas. Civil rights are a strong part of Tom Harkin's beliefs in people, equal opportunity and personal freedoms. Tom Harkin also strongly believes that education, job training and economic investment in infrastructure and our people is essential for the economic growth which is vital to creating opportunity and access to the American dream for all Americans.