Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy
On Senator Trent Lott’s News Conference
Fri., Dec. 13, 2002

“Republicans in the Senate now will have to decide whether Senator Lott will continue to be their leader, but one thing already is clear – the national discussion of the issues brought to the surface by Senator Lott’s disturbing comments has been important for America.  There are generations of Americans who did not live through the malignancy of segregation and officially sanctioned racial intimidation.  Though it was only a few decades ago, many younger Americans may find it difficult even to imagine those days.  But it is important to understand the past, to motivate us to keep striving to fully honor the American ideals of equal opportunity and justice for all.”

# # # # #