Chairman. as debate opened on H.R. 6400 on Tuesday. the distinguished chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary assured me he would accept this very important amendment. The amendment before us is an essential part of any voting rights bill. It will enfranchise many citizens of Puerto Rican origin. educated in Puerto Rico where the classes are conducted in Spanish. The New York State English language literacy test is a real barrier to voting. Only by showing proof of an eighthgrade education in a school conducted in English can a prospective voter escape this test. As a result of this requirement. thousands of Spanishspeaking Americans are unable to register.
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literacy test