Stephanie Tubbs Jones: “I am pleased to stand and rise in support of the special order with regard to H.R. 5158, Second Chance Voting Rights Act…”

“I am pleased to stand and rise in support of the special order with regard to H.R. 5158, Second Chance Voting Rights Act of 2000 and H.R. 906, Civic Participation and Rehabilitation Act of 1999. It is interesting that while voter registration drives move at full speed, and while campaign speeches are given to varying constituencies, one group is still left out. We always say, ``It is your vote that is your voice. If you do not vote, you do not have a voice.'' The people without a voice today are those in the States wherein convicted felons who have completed their time in jail or who are off of parole do not have the right to vote. That is why I am proud to stand in support of both of these bills, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Think about it. America was founded as a second chance; a second chance for freedom, a second chance away from religious persecution. Why then are we stripping rights from people who have served their time, paid their debt to society and now want a second chance?”