FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 6, 1998
Contact: Bill Adams
Telephone: 202-366-5580
DOT 44-98
STATEMENT OF U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY
SLATER
ON DEFEAT OF ANTI-DBE AMENDMENT BY U.S. SENATE
I applaud the United States Senate for its strong vote to preserve the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Today the Senate has reaffirmed its longstanding bipartisan commitment to equal opportunity. I wish to thank especially Chairman Chafee, Senator Baucus and Minority Leader Daschle for their stalwart leadership in this effort to reauthorize a fair and effective program that keeps the doors open and the playing field level for women- and minority-owned businesses. It also provides hope and jobs to the tens of thousands of Americans they employ.
President Clinton has pledged to ‘mend, not end’ affirmative action -- and today’s vote was one for mending not ending. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program assures that all businesses have a fair opportunity to compete for DOT-assisted contracts. The Senate’s vote today is another milestone on the road to equal opportunity and another step forward in the reauthorization of the essential ISTEA legislation.
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