April 30, 1975
Page 12497
JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE MAINE LEGISLATURE MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO EXTEND VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 FOR 10 ADDITIONAL YEARS
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, the 107th Maine Legislature has adopted a joint resolution memorializing Congress to extend for 10 years the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which will expire on August 6 of this year.
On behalf of myself and Mr. HATHAWAY, I ask unanimous consent that this joint resolution be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the resolution was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
Joint Resolution Memorializing the United States Congress to Extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for 10 Additional Years
We, your Memorialists, the House of Representatives and Senate of the State of Maine of the One Hundred and Seventh Legislative Session assembled, most respectfully present and petition the United States Congress, as follows:
Whereas, the 1965 Voting Rights Act is one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation ever enacted; and
Whereas, the Voting Rights Act is a complex piece of legislation that was developed in response to the failure of earlier legislation to remedy discrimination in voting, and is designed to enable minority citizens to gain access to the political process and to gain the influence that participation brings; and
Whereas, its passage and enforcement have been responsible for substantial increases in the number of blacks registered, voting and elected to office in the seven southern states covered by the Act; and
Whereas, the Voting Rights Act Amendment of 1970 continues the special coverage provisions which reach into every corner of the United States; and
Whereas, the United States Commission on Civil Rights, in its January, 1975 evaluation of the current status on minority rights in jurisdictions covered under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as amended in 1970, concluded that there is still hostility and resistance to the free and effective political participation of blacks, native Americans, Puerto Ricans and Mexican-Americans; and
Whereas, a democratic system depends on the full participation of all its citizens; and
Whereas, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will expire on August 6, 1975 of this year unless it is further extended by Congress; now, therefore, be it
Resolved: That we, your Memorialists, do hereby respectfully urge that Congress, prior to August 6, 1975, extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for an additional 10 years; and be it further
Resolved: That a copy of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted by the Secretary of State to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.