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June 20,
2006
Contact: Tatiana Guerra
202-434-8070
National Hispanic Caucus
of State Legislators Urges Support for
Reauthorization for Voting Rights Act
Washington, DC – Today, the National Hispanic
Caucus of State Legislators sent a letter to
Speaker Dennis Hastert, Majority Leader John
Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, urging
them to support the “Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa
Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights
Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.” The
letter follows:
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The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable John Boehner The Honorable Nancy
Pelosi
Majority Leader Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC
20515
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Boehner, &
Minority Leader Pelosi,
On behalf of the National Hispanic Caucus of
State Legislators (NHCSL), the nation’s leading
organization representing the interests of more
than 300 Hispanic state legislators from all
states, commonwealths, and territories of the
United States, we write to urge immediate
consideration and strong support for the “Fannie
Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King
Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act
of 2006.”
The Voting Rights Act (VRA) is rightly
considered one of our nation’s most effective
civil rights laws and has strengthened the
protections of the 15th Amendment of the
Constitution. Congress enacted the VRA in direct
response to evidence of significant and
pervasive discrimination taking place across the
country, including the use of literacy tests,
poll taxes, intimidation, threats and violence.
In the 41 years since its initial passage, the
VRA has enfranchised millions of racial, ethnic
and language minority citizens by breaking down
barriers to their political participation. It
has helped to build inclusive communities by
ensuring that all citizens have an opportunity
to participate equally in the electoral process.
Three key provisions of the VRA are set to
expire on August 6, 2007. Section 5 requires
jurisdictions with a history of discrimination
to get federal approval for any voting changes
before they can be implemented.
Without Section 5, Hispanic Americans and other
minority communities would become more
vulnerable to discriminatory voting changes
implemented to weaken their ability to elect
candidates who will represent their community
interests. Further, Section 203 of the VRA
provides voting assistance for many Americans
who do not speak English as a first language or
who cannot understand some of the complex ballot
initiatives or voting instructions. Also,
Sections 6-9 authorize the U.S. Attorney General
to appoint federal election observers to
document and deter unlawful conduct.
Undoubtedly, the above provisions, especially
the language assistance provision of the VRA,
are still needed today to ensure that minority
voters are able to fully participate in the
democratic process. Without these protections
many of the advances made during the past 25
years would be wiped out by new barriers to
voting. We cannot allow this to happen.
As state legislators we have a commitment and
responsibility to ensure and guarantee that the
voice of every American be heard. As a member of
Congress, you also share that responsibility. We
urge expeditious bipartisan support for the
reauthorization of the VRA.
Sincerely,
Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY)
NHCSL President
cc: Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Honorable James Sensenbrenner
The National Hispanic Caucus of State
Legislators (NHCSL) is a nonpartisan
organization representing the interests of
Hispanic state legislators from all states,
commonwealths, and territories of the United
States. NHCSL is a catalyst for joint action on
issues of common concern to all segments of the
Hispanic community. For more information visit
www.nhcsl.org.
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