NCJW Lauds Renewal of Voting Rights Act

July 27, 2006, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) lauded renewal of the landmark Voting Rights Act, which was extended for another 25 years upon the signature of President Bush today. NCJW President Phyllis Snyder released the following statement:

"President Bush's signing of a 25-year renewal of the Voting Rights Act marks another milestone on the road toward equality and an end to racial and ethnic discrimination. The President is to be commended for his early commitment to the act's extension. His signature is evidence not only of his own personal pledge to make the promise of democracy a reality in our time but also commits the federal government to vigorous enforcement of the law in the future.

"Free and fair elections are the bedrock of any democracy, and the renewal of the Voting Rights Act through passage of the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006" is a fitting tribute to the legacy of those civil rights pioneers.

"The timely passage of the Voting Rights Act extension is an example of the kind of bipartisan cooperation that has been too rare in our nation's capital of late. We call upon Congress and the President to apply this spirit to the many pressing items left on the legislative agenda for this session of Congress."

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Vanessa Schnaidt
212 645 4048 x179; vschnaidt@ncjw.org