For Immediate Release

	January 16, 2003 NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION DENOUNCES BUSH'S FIGHT AGAINST EDUCATIONAL DIVERSITY WASHINGTON - The National Bar Association (NBA) today denounced the Bush Administration for its decision to file a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in opposition to the University of Michigan's affirmative action policies. "President Bush wants us to ignore generations of prejudice and discrimination," said Malcolm S. Robinson, President of NBA. "Bush claims that he supports diversity but he is hindering, if not destroying, one of the few means of securing it. It is clear that Bush does not believe that diversity on college campuses is a compelling governmental issue." "By taking this position against the University of Michigan case and filing this brief, he is condemning affirmative action without actually having to take an official stance on it," said Robinson. "How can we ensure that our schools remain diverse and that minority students have the opportunity to reach the levels of higher education, without serious efforts to make amends for the racism that has held them back for decades? For President Bush to make opposition of affirmative action the official policy of his administration, he is sending a message to the American people that true diversity and true equality are not worth working for." The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the two cases Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, which involve the University of Michigan's law and undergraduate programs. The cases call to question public universities' use of race as a factor in the admissions process. The outcome of this ruling could overturn the 1978 Bakke decision which allowed race to be considered with the intent to promote diversity on university campuses. "The Bush Administration calls for fairness, yet it is willing to allow special privileges for some applicants like those who's parents are alums or those who excel in sports and produce revenue for athletic programs," said Robinson. "Justice Thurgood Marshall saw fit to support affirmative action in the Bakke decision. Unfortunately, we have yet to reach a point in our society where we no longer need these measures to provide for equality and diversity, it is amazing that President Bush does not see that." The National Bar Association, established in 1925, is the oldest and largest association of attorneys of color, with more than 18,000 members worldwide. CONTACT: Megan Alexa Carpenter @ 202-842-3900 Email: mcarpenter@nationalbar.org