Rick Lazio on Civil Rights Former Republican/Conservative Representative (NY-2)

Work for better future rather than reparations

CLINTON: We have mental, emotional and psychological reparations to pay first. We have to admit that we haven’t always treated people in our own country fairly. We have some issues that we have to address when it comes to racial justice right now. I’m willing to work hard to be a strong advocate for Civil Rights and human rights here at home and around the world. I want to do everything I can to make sure that the programs and policies that have helped generations of African-Americans have a better life in this country continue. I think we should be focused on the present and on the future. We owe an apology to African-Americans for hundreds of years of slavery.

LAZIO: I believe it is time for us to move past the issue of reparations among African-Americans and work for ways in which we can bring more opportunity and better educational opportunities to African-American children.

Racial profiling is not needed to keep NYC streets safe

LAZIO: I don’t think we need federal monitors. The streets of New York are at their safest point ever. Do I believe in racial profiling? No, I do not. As a former prosecutor, I know that we can do the job without that tool, and we should do the job without that tool. People believe that the quality of life is increasing in New York City because of the partnership that’s been developed between Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki. And they’re going to add one more partner next year in the Senate: Rick Lazio.

CLINTON: I disapprove of racial profiling. I’ve spoken out about the need to rebuild trust between our police who put themselves on the line every single day and the communities that they’re pledged to protect. I want to go to the Senate to make sure that our police have the resources and tools they need to do the very best job, but I also want to go to make sure that our communities feel safe and protected.

Racial preferences OK in college admissions

Ban gays in the military

No gay adoption or marriage; domestic partners OK

Voting record on gay rights issues:
• Vote AGAINST allowing adoptions in District of Columbia by gays or other individuals who are not related by blood or marriage. (HR.2587, 7/29/99)
• Voted to ALLOW San Francisco’s ordinance requiring organizations that have contracts with the city to provide benefits to unmarried domestic partners. (HR.4194, 7/29/98)
• Voted AGAINST allowing states to define “marriage” or “spouse.” (HR.3396, 7/12/96)
• Voted AGAINST allowing marriage between members of the same sex in federal law. (HR.3396, 7/12/96)
• Voted YES to allow state and local agencies to control school curriculum regarding homosexuality. (HR.91, 3/24/94)
• Voted YES for the policy known as ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ regarding homosexuals in the military. (HR.2401, 9/28/93)

Limit bank info-sharing; but expand federal wiretapping

Voting record on privacy issues:
• Voted YES to limiting the ability of financial institutions to provide confidential customer information to unaffiliated third parties. (HR.10, 7/1/99)
• Voted IN FAVOR of expanding the circumstances under which federal authorities can place wiretaps. (HR.3694, 10/7/1998)

OK: Day of Prayer; religious memorials; monitor persecution

Voting record on issues of race & religion:
• Voted IN FAVOR of a National Day of Prayer so the nation will turn away from violence and cultural division (H.Con.Res.94 6/29/99)
• Vote NO to allowing States to post a copy of The Ten Commandments in any State run facility. (HR.1501, 6/17/99)
• Voted YES to authorizing religious language to be used in memorials on public grounds that honor a person killed on a public school campus. (HR.1501, 6/16/99)
• Vote YES to affirm the Congress’ opposition to all forms of racism and bigotry. (H.Res.121, 3/23/1999)
• Voted YES to create an office within the State Department to monitor religious persecution worldwide and to penalize government agencies through sanctions and to deny visas to those identified as persecutors. (HR.2431, 5/14/1998)
• Voted YES on allowing the public display of the Ten Commandments, including in government offices and courthouses. (H.Con.Res.31, 3/5/97)

Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC.

Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions.