Jon L. Christensen: “not only during Black History Month but appropriately, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month for 2001, the…”

“not only during Black History Month but appropriately, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month for 2001, the Congressional Black Caucus is using this time and the voice that is afforded to us as members of this body to come before the country and its leaders to re-issue our call to reform the election system. The Presidential election of 2000 will be remembered by many of our citizens for not living up to the promise of ``Democracy for all''. It is therefore clear that our election system must be fixed as it relates to the election of the President--but equally important, to ensure that all Americans are afforded their right to use. Last November, many Americans, especially African-Americans, either saw their legally cast votes not counted or encountered a mired of obstacles that prevented them from being able to vote. What occurred in the state of Florida last November, as well as in many other places in our country and which has occurred in election after election--must never be allowed to occur again.”