Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 6, 1995
I wanted to point out just one thing that she talked about. It is kind of interesting, but she mentioned that affirmative action, especially the goals and timetables part of it, got started under a Republican administration, under Richard Nixon. At the time, the very first group that he brought under the goals and timetables happened to be the construction group. The interesting thing is, Mr. Speaker, that at the time of affirmative action, the goals and timetables, the time was established, and 85 percent of all the supervisors in the construction trades had to be white males. If we look at this little chart here now, that figure still holds true today. After 20 years, 84.9 percent, 85 percent, are still white males.
Said by
Jim Clyburn
Democratic · South Carolina

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the history and current state of affirmative action in the construction industry.

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