The United States styles itself the land of opportunity. If all Americans are to share in this promise, the federal government must vigorously enforce civil rights laws that guarantee non-discrimination in employment, education, public accommodations and other spheres of community life. But, non-discrimination does not ensure equal opportunity. The government must also offer its citizens a superior public education system. The government must defend and support narrowly tailored affirmative action programs aimed at ensuring equal opportunity for all persons in education, employment and federal contracting. And, the government must respond to unprecedented changes in the way Americans receive and share information by providing all Americans — at school, at home, and in the workplace — the tools they need to take advantage of new technologies.
The President should appoint to the Executive Branch agencies charged with the task of interpreting, implementing and enforcing the civil rights laws only those officials with experience and a genuine commitment to this vision of equal justice under the law. The same is true for the federal judiciary. The President's appointees must reflect a continuing effort to promote diversity. The President and the Senate should nominate and confirm judges with a strong intellect, judicial temperament, broad expertise and demonstrated concern for, and commitment to, the people and the rights protected by our Constitution and civil rights laws.
