"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.
