William Helms: “I send to the desk legislation I first submitted in amendment form on June 25, 1991--which I subsequently introduced as…”

“I send to the desk legislation I first submitted in amendment form on June 25, 1991--which I subsequently introduced as a bill in both the 103d and 104th Congresses. But as I introduce once more the Civil Rights Restoration Act, I recall that similar antidiscrimination legislation passed this body long before 1973, when I first became a Member of the Senate. Thirty-three years ago, Congress passed the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964. The intent of that legislation was to prohibit discrimination based on race in a broad variety of circumstances, including hiring practices. Proponents of the Civil Rights Act proclaimed that there was nothing in the bill that would require any quotas or preferential treatment. Well, three decades later, the Federal Government's quota establishment--aided and abetted by an activist Federal judiciary--have so perverted the plain language and intent of the Civil Rights Act that it is unrecognizable. My proposal today is intended to ensure that all civil rights laws are consistent with the goal of a color-blind society. Specifically, this legislation prevents Federal agencies, and the Federal courts, from interpreting title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow an employer to grant preferential treatment in employment to any group or individual on account of race. This proposal prohibits the use of racial quotas once and for all.”