African American unemployment is over 10 percent; nearly double the national rate of 5.7 percent.  For Hispanics it is 7.8 percent.  The gaps between whites and blacks in income, education attainment, and health care are widening. And African Americans and Latinos stand to suffer disproportionately from this administration's economic policies that, by all accounts, favor the wealthy. 

We in the House Democratic Caucus have put forth an economic agenda that is fair, fast acting and will create jobs.  Unlike the President's plan, our plan will give working men and women an immediate tax rebate and will create 1 million new jobs.  Our job creation initiative, designed to help States improve their infrastructure, will also serve another very important function - strengthening homeland security on the frontlines in my hometown and your's.  Our approach uses existing transportation funds to make needed investments in road and bridge construction; water and sewer improvements; and airport, rail and seaport security.  Yet the President's plan leaves States to fund the needs the security needs at home in a time when most can't balance their current budgets.

But as we battle on the legislative front to overcome obstacles to fair, common sense approaches, we are confronting White House efforts to give lifetime judicial appointments to candidates who seem hostile towards efforts to eliminate the current effects of past discrimination.  Affirmative action is under fire by this administration, and I agree with the Editorial in the January 24^th edition of my hometown newspaper, The State, that the President is playing an "ugly political game on affirmative action."  The paper editorialized, rightly so, that the only reason for President Bush to inject himself in this case is to appease the right wing of his party. 

            However, as a member of Democratic Leadership, I will not stand idly by and allow the President's charges to go unanswered.  I believe my knowledge gained through experience warrants my intervention on a Congressional amicus brief on behalf of the University of Michigan's admission policy.  For 18 years, I was South Carolina's top administrator in this field.  I served under four Governors, two Democrats and two Republicans.  I can assure you that positive gains are made only when we take proactive and affirmative measures.  We must continue our efforts to make this nation a more perfect Union.  We are not there yet.

            President Bush's trickle down economic policies, active opposition to affirmative action, and dogged determination to appoint judges with abhorrent civil rights records may be great for his White House, but they do precious little for our nation's farmhouses and school houses, and our State Houses, court houses and fire houses.  And I ask you, today, what will these policies do for those who live and work in your house?

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