http://www.wnd.com/frame/direct.asp?SITE=dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010114/p
l/clinton_editorial_2.html
Clinton Backs Electoral Reform Study
NEW YORK (AP) - In a New York Times editorial published on his final Sunday
in office, President Clinton (news - web sites) urged the incoming
administration to establish a commission to study such election reforms as
making Election Day a national holiday and restoring the rights of felons to
vote.
Clinton invoked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who is honored
with a national holiday Monday, in outlining several recommendations to
improve civil rights and race relations in the United States.
'' ... Because of the lessons and sacrifices of people like Martin Luther
King, Jr., whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow, we can write a new preamble
to the 21st century, in which color differences are not the problem, but the
promise, of America,'' Clinton said.
Some of the initiatives will be sent to Congress over his final week in
office and others should be addressed by President-elect Bush after he takes
office Saturday, Clinton said.
Among Clinton's recommendations were: passing a federal ban on racial
profiling; addressing the disparity of federal sentencing guidelines on
crack and powder-cocaine sentences, and passing legislation to provide
greater access to DNA testing in death penalty cases.
Clinton advocated forming a nonpartisan election reform commission to be led
by former Presidents Ford and Carter to study disparities in voting
participation among ethnic groups, classes and races in every state. The
panel should recommend to Congress its conclusions on how to achieve uniform
standards on voting and on vote counting, he said.
Directing his initiatives toward building ``One America,'' Clinton
concluded: ``Whether you are able to help a single child or lead a national
movement for justice, it all begins with a personal commitment. ... I pledge
to continue the important work of building One America as I return to the
most important job of all: citizen.''
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