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Statement by
The Honorable Cynthia McKinney
September 8, 2000
I would like to take this opportunity to comment on remarks about the
Vice
President regarding African American Secret Service Agents that were
attributed to me on my web site, and in an article in the Washington Times.
These remarks originated in a draft of a press release that was in the
editing process and were never intended for public distribution. I disclaim
all of those comments.
I do feel, however, that the allegations of several African American
Secret
Service Agents deserve serious attention and vigorous investigation. I also
believe that serious investigations should be undertaken regarding
allegations of discrimination leveled by African American employees against
the Departments of Agriculture and Energy and the Voice of America of the
Department of State.
An August 1998 NAACP report found discrimination in recruitment and
promotions at the Department of Defense, and a recent report of Blacks in
Government finds that African American men are disproportionately
disappearing from the federal workplace. The paucity of minority law clerks
at the Supreme Court is another issue that must be addressed, as well as the
fact that African American and Native American farmers continue to be
neglected by the Department of Agriculture. It appears that there may be a
systemic problem that must be addressed.
Vice President Gore owes it to those Secret Service agents and the
American
public to make a clear statement that he wants the Secret Service to make
sure there is no discrimination in promotion practices, hiring decisions, or
assignments within that organization. He should also address the concerns
that have led African American employees of the Federal Government to file
numerous lawsuits alleging racial discrimination in the workplace.
I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate my full and
unequivocal endorsement of Al Gore and let George W. Bush and the right wing
Republicans backing him know that I will work as hard as I can in Georgia
for the Democratic ticket.
While George Bush offers us election year rhetoric, the Clinton-Gore
Administration has real successes to showcase.
Al Gore has a record of carrying the Democratic Party's flag on important
issues like choice, the minimum wage, and Medicare. George Bush has a
record of defending the Confederate Flag for the Republican Party
establishment.
Gore has supported a reinvestment in America’s urban communities through
his work as Chairman of the Community Empowerment Board that has created 31
Empowerment Zones and more than 100 Enterprise Communities around the
country to help promote new jobs and better opportunities for residents of
America’s cities and rural areas.
President Clinton has created the most diverse Administration in history.
I hope President Gore will continue that record in the appointments of
record numbers of African American Cabinet Members, U.S. Attorneys, Federal
judges, and Supreme Court Justices.
Additionally, Gore has strongly opposed state and local efforts to end
affirmative action programs that create opportunities for African Americans
and other minority groups.
By contrast, George W. Bush has presided over Texas State government at a
time when women and minorities have fallen behind in that state, and poor
people continually face the threat of a disproportionately administered
death penalty.
George Bush’s Texas has a dismal record on the minimum wage – forcing
many
hard working citizens not covered by the federal minimum wage to struggle to
make ends meet.
George Bush’s Texas has a dismal record on education. Bush’s education
proposals take money away from the poorest schools so the children of the
wealthy can attend private school.
George Bush’s Texas has a dismal record on health care – the children of
Texas working families are often uninsured or underinsured.
And let me warn any Republicans who might be tempted to use the comments
that were attributed to me, which I have now disclaimed and retracted, to
divide and confuse the voters --- I will not stand for it.
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