Speech #880243667

I wish to say that prior to the conference I had worked out on a portable typewriter what I thought was a general and acceptable statement of principle. In the course of the conference. a word was removed. and then it was restored. a phrase was removed. and then it was restored. Finally. we came up with a declaration of which I think we can all be proud. for among other things. the statement included the following: It is the consensus of the Senate Republican conference that: "The Federal Government. including the legislative. executive. and judicial branches. has a solemn duty to preserve the rights. privileges. and immunities of citizens of the United States in conformity with the Constitution. which makes every nativeborn and naturalized person a citizen of the United States. as well as the State in which he resides. Equality of rights and opportunities has not been fully achieved In the long period since the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution were adopted. and this inequality and lack of opportunity and the racial tensions which they engender are out of character with the spirit of a nation pledged to justice and freedom." I recite one other paragraph from that statement of principle: The Republican Members of the U.S. Senate. in this 88th Congress. reaffirm and reassert the basic principles of the party with respect to civil rights. and further affirm that the President. with the support of Congress. consistent with Its duties as defined in the Constitution. must protect the rights of all U.S. citizens regardless of race. creed. color. or national origin.