16430 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS July 26, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS THE RAINBOW COALITION AND spect for human rights <measured by one 4. The NRC supports and urges that we THE RAINBOW LOBBY yardstick everywhere), justice and economic reinvest in public education. There's a lot of development. Beyond this, the coalition talk about educational reform. But any seeks to create a better nation by lifting the reform movement that is not focusing on re­ HON. MERVYN M. DYMALLY hopes and aspirations of all Americans. forming the inequalities in public education OF CALIFORNIA WHY ARE WE ORGANIZING? funding, is not a serious reform movement. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Today, the NRC is mobilizing a new pro­ We must move away from the unequal and inadequate mechanism of funding public Wednesday, July 26, 1989 gressive majority to help set a new climate for progressive politics; working for progres­ education with property taxes, and toward Mr. DYMALL Y. Mr. Speaker, in recent sive legislation and policies, both domesti­ equal and adequate funding of public educa­ months a great deal of confusion has arisen cally and in our foreign policy; and working tion with general revenues. about: The National Rainbow Coalition Inc. to elect progressive political leadership at Equal and inadequate funding is not good (Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder and national all levels of government. enough. Equalizing inadequate funds will The nation is in a serious crisis. Family leave everyone displeased and not improve president), and the Rainbow Lobby (Nancy our schools. Morally and politically, then, Ross, director). To clarify the differences be­ farmers are facing bankruptcy in record numbers; workers are facing plant closings we must not lower any educational stand­ tween these two organizations I am submitting without notice; millions of people are with­ ards, and we must raise many. That's why, two papers on both groups for review by out basic health insurance; the number of during the 1988 presidential campaign, Members of the House. homeless and poor people are growing ev­ Jesse Jackson put forth a plan for doubling The first paper on the Rainbow Coalition eryday; there is a disturbing increase and federal education funds over a five-year (Rev. Jesse Jackson) was prepared by Frank climate for racial violence; drug addiction period. has become epidemic; and no clear vision is We cannot get around the fact that better Watkins, author and communications director funded school systems and better paid of the National Rainbow Coalition. The being put before the nation by its national leadership. The Rainbow is putting forth a teachers produce better students. The 1988 second paper on the Rainbow Lobby (Nancy clear vision and direction for the country. Chicago Tribune study of the "Chicago Ross) was prepared by Chip Berlet, of the HOW ARE WE ORGANIZED? Schools: Worst In America" documented Massachusetts based Political Research As­ the inequities. There has been virtually no The NRC is a national membership orga­ sociates, "an independent research institute change in the amount of money invested in nization. Every person who agrees with the Chicago students over two decades-1970, which collects and disseminates information general direction and basic progressive pro­ on right wing political groups and trends." $1,000 per pupil, 1986, $1,100 <adjusted for gram approach of the organization is en­ inflation). Equalized assessed evaluation per The reports follow: couraged and welcome to join and partici­ pupil-suburban average $69,483, Chicago THE RAINBOW COALITION pate. The NRC is organized on a national, average $38,390. Property tax revenue per The National Rainbow Coalition <NRC> is state and local level. pupil-suburban average $3,208, Chicago av­ part of a long history of struggle for pro­ WHAT IS OUR VISION? (UPDATED AS OF JUNE 25, erage $1,447. The pattern is the same across gressive change in this country. It's roots 1989) the country and must change. are in the anti-slavery abolitionist, labor, The NRC has a vision of an America 5. The NRC supports the ABC Child Care populist, civil rights, womens, environmen­ where every person has both the right and Bill. There can be no better investment tal, peace and other progressive movements the opportunity to develop his or her maxi­ than in the future generation. We either that have fought for progressive social mum human potential. The NRC believes invest in prenatal care, head start and day change in our country through 370 years of that every person, willing and able to work, care on the front side of life, or in welfare struggle. The NRC is in the spirit and tradi­ has a human right to a job and liveable and jail care on the back side. Investing in tion of those movements who have sought wages. It believes that the American people our children makes better moral and eco­ progressive social and political change. have a human right to affordable housing, nomic sense. The strategy of Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1984 quality health care and education. It be­ 6. In light of five recent Supreme Court presidential campaign was to build a broad lieves that every American has the right to decisions, which is shifting the burden of political support base around a concept he live in a society without discrimination proof onto the backs of the oppressed, Con­ called the "rainbow coalition." The "rain­ based on race, religion, national origin, sex gress should introduce legislation clarifying bow,'' at one level, meant a multiethnic, or sex orientation. the original intent and meaning of affirma­ multi-cultural and multi-interest coalition The NRC is clear about the specific direc­ tive action-and President Bush should sup­ of farmers, workers, environmentalists, tion and the national priorities that our port it and agree not to veto it. And "we the peace activists, women, civil rights and movement for social justice has at this par­ people" must use our consumer power to other progressive groups and people. But it ticular moment in time and history. take direct action against any company that was more than that. It was a diverse group 1. The NRC supports Congressman John continues to discriminate or abandons af­ of people whose moral and political judg­ Conyer's Universal Same-Day Voter Regis­ firmative action. ments led them to conclude that the nation tration Bill in an uncompromised form. The 7. The NRC will continue to stand with needed to go in a fundamentally new direc­ right to vote should come with citizenship­ and support the people and students in the tion with regard to both domestic and for­ as automatic as a birth certificate. "freedom and democracy" movement in eign policy. 2. The NRC supports DC statehood. A China. In addition to other concrete actions The National Rainbow Coalition, Inc. <the country founded in revolution on "no tax­ that we have and might take, the United formal organization)-not to be confused ation without representation" should not States should call a special meeting of the with the Rainbow Lobby, the National Alli­ continue a District of Columbia, when a UN Security Council in an attempt to deal ance and other organizations that deliber­ New Columbia is deserved and desirable. with the massacre and oppression of the ately try covertly to link themselves to us­ There are five states with less population Chinese people by their own government. was founded and formed in late 1984 and than DC. DC deserves two U.S. Senators, The world must use every moral and legal early 1985, immediately following the 1984 voting members in the House, and a Gover­ means available to it to defend human Jesse Jackson presidential campaign. It is a nor. rights everywhere. permanent progressive independent political 3. The NRC supports a national health 8. The NRC will continue to escalate the organization operating within the Demo­ care plan. We must reinvest in a National war on drugs. Why? Because, the threat of cratic Party. It seeks to build coalition Health Care Plan that provides comprehen­ nuclear war or an enemy invasion does not around "commonground" (fundamentally> sive and universal health care to every pose the greatest menace to our nation economic issues that will lead to a society of American. Only the U.S. and South Africa today. Drugs do! Drugs are the single great­ justice built on equal protection under the in the industrialized world does not have est threat to our national security. law for everyone, and an improved quality one, and even South Africa has one for its 9. The NRC will continue to stand with of life; and peace in the world based on re- white citizens. workers in their fight against economic vio- e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. July 26, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 16431 lence. Labor is not a "special interest." It is but is not an attempt to bait the organiza­ Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, In­ a "legitimate interest" that we must support tion on the basis of its publicly-espoused po­ diana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, and protect. Thus, the NRC will continue to litical views. Michigan <Ann Arbor and Detroit>. Missis­ stand with the miners on strike in West Vir­ CURRENT NAP ACTIVITIES sippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New ginia and elsewhere, with the Eastern Air­ In May of 1985 the New Alliance Party Hampshire, New York (Albany, New York line workers, and with workers everywhere held a national funding convention in Chi­ City and Buffalo), North Carolina, Pennsyl­ who are fighting for economic justice.