Mr. Speaker. the fact that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not abolish constitutional interpretation tests and similar devices is a glaring omission which must be corrected immediately. The time is long overdue to end discrimination in voting and abolish all literacy tests. Today I have introduced the first bill to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It outlaws all literacy tests as a qualification for voting in any election--State or Federal. Literacy tests. interpretation and comprehension tests. tests designed to test reasoning ability or power of analysis are obstacles to the right and opportunity to vote which must be eliminated. The abolition of literacy tests will also make it possible for large numbers of Spanishspeaking citizens of New York and other States to exercise their rights to vote which have been impeded by the existence of literacy requirementsno matter how fairly and objectively administered. In a democracy there is no reason to erect barriers to the franchise. and Congress must remove them wherever they exist.
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Literacy tests literacy tests