Political Quotes

“This will be a very thorough debate because it is a serious issue. It seems to me there are many facets to this debate. One is the important one raised by my colleagues who have just been speaking as to the constitutionality. Then each Senator has to reach his or her own opinion on the constitutionality. Then there seem to be other factors that have to be taken into consideration. I rise to alert Senators to take a look at the importance of this amendment. It so happens this bill is mine. I was the author of it as chairman of the subcommittee. We considered this issue, and I determined we should keep this provision in, despite the Adarand case and the development of the law in the course of the writing of the bill. I urge Senators to begin to study, as a part of their preparation for floor statements and decisions, the important aspect of this amendment on the growth of the participation by women in this country in their ability to compete as professionals in this area of work. There are charts available; for example, in Virginia, the percent of growth since 1987 in firms of women, an 84 percent increase in the number of firms that are managed, owned, and operated by women in my State.”