Political Quotes

“I rise in praise of yesterday's Supreme Court decision in the Michigan case--the most important affirmative action case in a generation. I along with 11 of my colleagues--Senators Daschle, Kennedy, Clinton, Corzine, Edwards, Feingold, Kerry, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Schumer, and Stabenow--filed an amicus brief in support of the university's affirmative action programs. I am disappointed that the Court struck down the undergraduate admissions program, but I believe that the opinion upholding the law school program represents a significant victory for affirmative action and for America. The Court's decision reaffirms the compelling interest in racial and ethnic diversity--universities may continue to include race as one factor among many when selecting its students. Diversity programs promote the integration and full participation of all groups in our society. The core holding of Grutter v. Bollinger, the law school case, and Gratz v. Bollinger, the undergraduate case, boils down to this: universities must look at each applicant individually. Michigan Law School's program was upheld because the law school performs an individualized consideration of every applicant. Race is considered, but not in a mechanical manner. The University of Michigan's undergraduate program was struck down because the Court said its point system was too rigid and too mechanical. The bottom line is that university affirmative action--when done right--is alive and well in America.”