Kirk Watson: “I want to add my voice again to those who are lamenting the life well-lived, and the life just going into transition. It…”

“I want to add my voice again to those who are lamenting the life well-lived, and the life just going into transition. It was Maynard Jackson, as my colleagues just heard, who had a vision of inclusion. 2000 Maynard was able to unite various groups and interests in building one of the most complex airport terminals in the world ahead of schedule and within budget. And as I said before, it is particularly amazing that today was the day that Maynard Jackson transitioned and also the day the Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling. In two successive votes, the Justices recognize that the most effective way to cure society of its exclusionary practices is to make special efforts to see that Americans are included, which is exactly what Maynard Jackson stood for when he mentioned the phrase 'affirmative action.' It was first used in President Lyndon Johnson's 1965 executive order. In 1967 Johnson expanded the executive order to include affirmative action requirements to benefit women. The policy was significantly expanded in 1969 by President Richard Nixon and then- Secretary of Labor George Schultz. In 1973 Maynard Jackson began his leadership in implementing these policies, which enabled Atlanta to become a true world class city. There has always been affirmative action in public policy; but for many years it fought to exclude, rather than include, people of color.”