John Kerry: “we should all take a moment today to honor the life and the work of Arthur Fletcher. Considered ``the father of…”

“we should all take a moment today to honor the life and the work of Arthur Fletcher. Considered ``the father of affirmative action,'' he advised four Presidential administrations and never missed an opportunity to advance the interests of underserved people throughout the Nation. Today, Mr. Fletcher is being laid to rest, after a distinguished life of public service. As an affirmative action supporter, Mr. Fletcher identified with Abraham Lincoln's legacy and felt that in order to make the greatest changes he needed to work from inside the political system. He was appointed by President Nixon to be the Assistant Secretary of Wage and Labor Standards. From this position, he developed ``the revised Philadelphia Plan'' which became the blueprint for affirmative action plans, creating a framework for employers to use in hiring. He continued to advise three more presidents: He was the Deputy Urban Affairs Adviser for President Gerald R. Ford, an adviser to President Ronald Reagan, and the Chairman of the Civil Rights Commission between 1990 and 1993. During his service in these administrations, Mr. Fletcher never shied away from addressing the most challenging opposition as he worked to expand equality and opportunity. Mr. Fletcher is probably best known for the phrase, ``a mind is a terrible thing to waste'' which he helped develop while serving as the executive director of the United Negro College Fund, however his influence was more far reaching.…”