Speech #860192429

I have heard repeated references to the voting rights of American citizens under the Lindsay amendment. the McCulloch amendment. the Meader amendment. and the Kastenmeier amendment. and on sober reflection. considering the provisions of the Declaration of Independence. the Constitution. and the Bill of Rights. it does not seem possible that we. the Members of this great deliberative body. must at this late date in the history of our Republic consider these things. Starting with the famous phrase in the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal." and considering the supreme law of the land embodied in the Constitution. which guarantees to all people the blessings of liberty. due process and equal protection of the laws. it just does not seem possible that we must legislate on civil rights. year after year after year. Further. the Constitution has conferred upon all native born and naturalized citizens. not only citizenship in the State where the individual resides. but citizenship of the United States as well. and this is an unqualified right. regardless of race. creed. or color. Therefore. I submit under these basic truths forming the foundation of our way of life in these United States of America. there would appear to be no rhyme or reason why there should be any dispute. disagreement. or distinction in the enjoyment of these things by every citizen of the United States.