First I'd like to thank my home state senator, Senator Bond, for that generous introduction. Mr. Chairman, Senator Gregg, and members of the committee, thank you for providing me with this opportunity to discuss my views on civil rights enforcement, and educational issues. I am truly honored and humbled to be here. I would also like to thank President Bush for honoring me with his trust and confidence. He has given me an extraordinary opportunity to serve my country as a guardian for the civil rights of students across America. I'd also thank my family. Their guidance, support and love have made all of my accomplishments possible. Mr. Chairman, let me introduce some of my family.

My parents, Arthur Reynolds and Emma Reynolds Simon have been the greatest influences in my life. My father was raised in Jackson, South Carolina during the 1940s. Back then, blacks didn't have much in the way of educational opportunities, but my father had a thirst for knowledge, and a devotion to reading—a love of learning that he passed on to me. He made the most of what was available and I'm proud to say that he eventually became a New York City police officer. He retired from Harlem's 28th precinct. My mother too has overcome large hurdles in her life. The manner in which she has conducted her life has taught me the value of fighting for my beliefs.

Janet Marie Sloan, my mother-in-law and second mother, has joined us today. She was a registered nurse and is now a full-time grandmother.

After my parents left the South, they initially settled in the South Bronx near my Aunt Jane and Uncle Man. Aunt Jane, as well as two of her sons, James and Larry Key, are here today. James now works for the U.S. Customs Service. Prior to September 11th, he was stationed in lower Manhattan. On September 11th, he risked his life to protect others. In fact, Customs Service has recognized James as a hero for his actions at 6 World Trade Center on September 11th. It has been said that a man realizes his liberty by sacrificing his private interests for the wider community. James is living proof of that, and I am honored that he is here today.

The most distinguished guest here today is my wife, Renée. Without her I would not be here today. Renée is a former defense analyst. She is now the Chief Executive Officer for the Reynolds household. She also serves our community in Kansas City, Missouri as the President of the Parents Association for my daughter's school. Finally I'd like to introduce my children. My stepson Ghani is a high school history teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. His fiancée, Sarah McKitrick, also teaches in Baltimore. My daughter, Emma Marie, is a first grader at Académie Lafayette, a public charter school located in Kansas City, Missouri. The troublemaker on my wife's lap is my son Ellison.

Mr. Chairman, when I think about my family, and when I look at my children, it reminds me of why I am eager to serve as the Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Quite simply, the Office protects our nation's students—whether they're in first grade or in graduate school—against the evils of invidious discrimination. Students have these protections because of the great work of civil rights organizations, and many members of Congress—including some on this committee, including you Mr. Chairman—who played key roles in the enactment of civil rights legislation. Those laws marked a turning point in the life of the country, and, more personally, a turning point in the lives of members of my family.

Mr. Chairman, you recently joined with President Bush and Secretary Paige in providing the leadership and vision that led to the No Child Left Behind Act—the most sweeping reform of grade-school education in 30 years. As President Bush said at the signing ceremony, bipartisan leadership demonstrates that honorable people can disagree, yet compromise, and come together for the good of our nation's children. With this body's advice and consent, it is in that spirit that I intend to take up the task that President Bush has assigned me.

My passion for education comes not only from the influence of my family and my own life experiences, but also from my desire to see that others are afforded the same kinds of opportunities that I have enjoyed. To limit an individual's education is to limit his freedom. As President of the Center for New Black Leadership, I focused on the significant achievement gap between white and black students. I came to the conclusion that we need to expand the concept of civil rights so that it includes improving the quality of education for America's disadvantaged children.

My work at the Center for New Black Leadership led me to conclude that education is the answer to many civil rights issues. Education gives poor children the skills they need to succeed in the marketplace. A sound education is the fastest, and sometimes the only, way out of poverty. At the Center for New Black Leadership, I spent most of my time reviewing research literature, meeting with individuals who run schools, and promoting education reform. I also learned a great deal from a broad range of experienced education reformers, from Republican Congressman J.C. Watts to Democratic former mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, and former Congressman Floyd Flake.

After leaving the Center for New Black Leadership, I transitioned from being a public policy advocate to being a regulatory attorney. I understand quite clearly that those two roles are very different. If I have the privilege of being confirmed, I am sure the experiences I have had in these distinct arenas—as a public policy advocate and as an attorney advising a client—will make me a more effective law enforcement official in the Office for Civil Rights.

If confirmed, my primary mission, as the head of the Office for Civil Rights will be to uphold the Constitution and enforce federal civil rights laws. One of the most significant, and in my mind successful, civil rights laws has been Title IX, which prohibits schools that receive federal funds from discriminating on the basis of sex.

Title IX

Before Title IX, schools and universities could, and did, treat men better than women. Many high schools routinely shepherded girls into courses such as home economics and typing, while boys were prepared for college and professional schools. This is inherently unfair. A system that distributes benefits and burdens on the basis of an individual's sex is a system that curtails freedom of choice.

Disability Law

If confirmed, another of my duties will be to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate services so that they can achieve excellence in education. If we fail to help students with disabilities achieve their potential in our schools, we will be responsible for limiting their opportunities in life.

Recently, I was horrified to learn how Freddy Ramirez was treated by a DC public school. Freddy was 9 year-old boy who was confined to a wheelchair. Because his elementary school had no accessible bathrooms, this young boy had to park his wheelchair at the door of the bathroom and then crawl across the filthy floor to reach a stall. This went on 18 months until the school took action. These things must never be allowed. It is humiliating and degrading and unworthy of a nation committed to civic equality. And more simply, how is that young boy supposed to learn effectively in an environment like that?

Congress enacted two landmark statutes, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am strongly committed to these laws, and to the President's New Freedom Initiative. In implementing that Initiative, President Bush has instructed his Administration to fully enforce the civil rights laws protecting people with disabilities.

There is much work to do. Over 60 percent of all complaints filed with OCR concern disability-based discrimination. If confirmed, I will obey President Bush's directive, and enforce these statutes to the letter, so that kids like Freddy need face only the challenges of teachers and of tests, not of getting to a bathroom stall.

Title VI

If confirmed, I will vigorously enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made the promise of the Fourteenth Amendment a reality, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color or national origin. The backlash against innocent Muslim and Arab students demonstrates the continued need for vigorous enforcement of our nation's civil rights laws. I join President Bush, Secretary Paige, and members of the Senate in their concern that the horrors of September 11th do not lead to mistreatment of Arab-Americans. Racial discrimination and harassment have no place in our schools.

While President of the Center for New Black Leadership, I supported affirmative action programs that promoted economic development of urban communities, improved the quality of education for disadvantaged students, and enhanced employment skills for young people entering the workforce. Along with President Bush and Secretary Paige, I support "affirmative access" for all Americans. If confirmed, I will seek to promote affirmative action programs that are consistent with the Constitution and achieve the critical goal of leaving no child behind.

Conclusion

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you and the members of this Committee for the opportunity you have given me to speak with you today. I am honored that President Bush has nominated me to serve as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. If confirmed, I will uphold Constitution and vigorously enforce this nation's civil rights laws. I am eager to begin that work with the Senate's consent; but for now, I look forward to your questions. Thank you.

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