Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Every February, our nation comes together to celebrate Black History Month. This year,
we mark the 50th anniversary of the historic passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Among
its notable protections, the bill prohibited discrimination by employers on the basis of
color, race, sex, national origin, or religion, and outlawed discrimination in motels, hotels,
and restaurants. As someone who has been discriminated against by his own government, I know how
important laws like this are.
Today, in the face of attacks on the civil and human rights of so many Americans, the
spirit and perseverance that drove the Civil Rights Movement to push Congress to pass the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 is still needed. With the Supreme Court's controversial decision
in the Shelby County vs. Holder case, a vital tool to protect the right to vote was severely
weakened. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Voter Empowerment Act and the Voting Rights
Amendment Act of 2014. This year, Congress must strengthen the Voting Rights Act once
more in order to safeguard every American's sacred franchise -- the right to vote.