2001 Ron Paul 48:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join
my colleagues in encouraging Americans to
commemorate the 40th anniversary of Brown
v. Board of Education and the end of legal
segregation in America. However, I cannot
support the legislation before us because it attempts
to authorize an unconstitutional expenditure
of federal funds for the purpose of
establishing a commission to provide federal
guidance of celebrations of the anniversary of
the Brown decision. This expenditure is neither
constitutional nor in the sprit of the brave
men and woman of the civil rights moment
who are deservedly celebrated for standing up
to an overbearing government infringing on individual
rights.
2001 Ron Paul 48:2
Mr. Speaker, any authorization of an unconstitutional
expenditure of taxpayer funds is an
abuse of our authority and undermines the
principles of a limited government which respects
individual rights. Because I must oppose
appropriations not authorized by the enumerated
powers of the Constitution, I therefore
reject this bill. I continue to believe that the
best way to honor the legacy of those who
fought to ensure that all Americans can enjoy
the blessings of liberty and a government that
treats citizens of all races equally is by consistently
defending the idea of a limited government
whose powers do not exceed those
explicitly granted it by the Constitution.
