William Helms: “3\1/2\ years ago, on June 25, 1991, I offered an amendment to the Omnibus Crime Bill to do away with quotas in the…”

“3\1/2\ years ago, on June 25, 1991, I offered an amendment to the Omnibus Crime Bill to do away with quotas in the workplace by amending Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I recall an article in the August 12 of the New Republic magazine which reported that my amendment had caused a great deal of agitation in the Senate because it required Senators who claimed back home that they were opposed to quotas to take a stand on outlawing the practice of racial preferences. The New Republic went on to say that in order to force ``a showdown on preferences in hiring and promotion.'' I should accept a modification of the original amendment offered by the distinguished Republican Leader, (Mr. Dole). Senators may recall that Senator Dole did propose during the June 1991 debate, that the Helms amendment contain language which would permit special recruitment of minorities and women for the employer's applicant pool--i.e, a broadly acceptable form of affirmative action. At the time I agreed that Senator Dole's modification would be an important addition to my amendment. However, Democrats objected to such a modification, and it never happened. Mr. President, the legislation I'm introducing today--the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1995--offers Senators the opportunity to pick up the gauntlet laid down by Senator Dole and me.…”