American Association for Affirmative Action Labels Alito Confirmation a “Strike against the Nation’s Policy of Equal Opportunity for All”

The Senate confirmation poses a threat to affirmative action and diversity laws.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) February 1, 2006

The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), an association of equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity and affirmative action professionals founded in 1974 laments the Senate's confirmation of Judge Samuel A. Alito to serve as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Describing the Senate vote as a “strike against the nation’s policy of equal opportunity for all,” AAAA’s President, Robert W. Ethridge, stated that, “By confirming Judge Samuel A. Alito to the United States Supreme Court, the actions of the Senate are distressingly short-sighted.”

Ethridge added: “Judge Alito has a troubling record regarding diversity and affirmative action, both as a Reagan Administration appointee and as a jurist. To confirm a nominee with a record that is antithetical to the nation’s policy of equal opportunity for all is to turn a blind eye to the reality that this nation is becoming increasingly diverse – along with being majority female.” It is projected that by 2050, 47% of all Americans will be Hispanic, African-American or Asian.

Shirley J. Wilcher, AAAA’s Interim Executive Director, stated: “The nation’s highest Court should be composed of those who are sensitive to the importance of utilizing all of the nation’s human resources, both now and in the future. This is not the time to appoint 19th Century thinkers in a 21st Century America.” Ms. Wilcher enforced affirmative action laws in the 1990s as an official of the U.S. Department of Labor. “We commend the Senators who voted against this confirmation. Theirs was a vote for inclusion,” she added.

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