2001 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Civil Rights
Bob Wise:
Restrict and regulate video gambling
West Virginia is drowning in a sea of video poker machines. Some 20,000 to 30,000 are in operation. Our convenience stores and gas stations are becoming unlicensed casinos. The current situation breeds disrespect for the law. When the state gives a
wink and a nod to an industry that is clearly in violation of the laws, it sends a message that we are not serious about the rule of law. The bill I will introduce tomorrow will reduce, restrict and regulate video gambling: - The number of video
gambling machines will be limited to 9,000 statewide.
- These machines will be prohibited in any part of a business open to young people, and there will be a limit of five machines at any one location.
- Operators will have to pass a strict criminal
background check and have been state residents for at least two years.
- Anyone who operates an illegal gambling machine will forfeit not only that machine, but also any and all legal and illegal machines under his or her control.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Judy Martz:
Return human remains to Indian nations
Our pursuit of economic growth must include Native Americans. For the first Montanans, I am committed to improving the quality of life on our reservations. I have pledged to visit every reservation in Montana by the end of summer to better understand
their needs, but more importantly their culture. In the meantime, please send to my desk immediately HB 165, which will ensure the return of human remains to our Indian nations. There is nothing more sacred than burial, no matter what color you are.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Montana Legislature
Jan 25, 2001
Benjamin Cayetano:
Defend native Hawaiian Homelands project
During the past year, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands continued its unprecedented pace of building homesteads and returning Hawaiians to the land. Clouding the good work of the department, however, is the recently filed lawsuit - Barrett vs. State
of Hawaii - challenging the constitutionality of OHA and the Department. It is a broadside attack on Hawaiian programs and on our Constitution. I pledge that I will use my authority to defend and protect the rights of native Hawaiians.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Hawaii Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
Parris Glendening:
Racial Profiling is immoral and must stop
We must continue to be active and engaged in the on-going struggle for justice, fairness, and inclusion. We begin by ending the reprehensible practice of Racial Profiling. It is simply outrageous that African- Americans are targeted for traffic stops
in this manner. Make no mistake about it Racial Profiling does exist. It is wrong. It is immoral. It must stop! Our effort goes beyond the most urgent problem of African Americans and targets all forms of profiled traffic stops.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech to Maryland legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Parris Glendening:
Do more to foster and support small and minority business
We will take the necessary steps to update our Minority Business Program to more accurately reflect the dynamics of our changing population and business community. Not everyone has been given the opportunity to share in our prosperity.
We must do more to foster and support small and minority business. Given Maryland’s large and diverse minority community, our current goal of 14% minority participation in State contracts is far too low. We will lift our goal to 25%.
This increase will benefit all groups that have suffered discrimination: Women, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and others. We will also give special attention to African-American businesses, which the report identifies as facing the most intense
discrimination. We can come together and craft a program that is fair to minority businesses, and able to withstand the legal challenges that will result. It is the role of Government to help people achieve success.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech to Maryland legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Parris Glendening:
Combat discrimination based on sexual orientation
I will once again submit and fight for legislation to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation. As long as people are subjected to harassment and bigotry simply for their choice of partner, we will not live-up to the standards we have set for
ourselves as a nation, and as a people. As you know, this is an issue of great personal importance to me: My brother Bruce, who served in the Air Force for 19 years, was gay and ultimately died of AIDS. It is chilling to think that my brother’s greatest
fear was not that he would be called upon to risk--even sacrifice--his life for his country. His greatest fear was that he would be ridiculed and discharged from the service if his sexual orientation was discovered. We can be better than
we have allowed ourselves to be. We can--and must--expect nothing less from ourselves. We must continue to actively support any and all measures that secure justice for those who have been wronged and inclusion for those who have been shut out.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech to Maryland legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021
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