WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today applauded the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling upholding the use of race in admissions policies at the University of Michigan Law School, but was disappointed by the overruling of the University’s undergraduate admissions policy.  Baca saw today’s ruling as an appropriate intervention in the President’s policies toward race and hopes the decision will prompt California to make a change.   

“The University of Michigan recognized that minorities are not afforded all of the same educational opportunities that middle and upper class white children are afforded,” Baca said. “Hispanics are the largest minority group in this country. There are nearly 39 million Hispanics now, yet only about 6 million of us even have Bachelor’s degrees. With its policies, the University was trying to level the playing field. I applaud that effort.” 

“I applaud the court for recognizing that race should be considered in the admission’s process, because if we don’t allow it as a factor, many minorities will be left behind,” Baca said. 

“We must continue to promote diversity in this nation,” Baca said. “Though we have come along way in embracing many people of different colors and faiths, we have not come far enough.”  

Baca voiced his disappointment in President Bush for trying to overturn the use of race in admissions policies and is a vocal opponent of the Administration’s policies on race. 

“The President has followed budget cuts and funding freezes of programs that benefit Hispanic children with an attack on Hispanic education opportunities,” Baca said.  “By supporting overturning affirmative action, he was trying to find yet another way to hinder our children’s chances to an equal and quality education. Thankfully, as far as the law school decision is concerned, the Court has stepped in.” 

“The President says that we should not be satisfied with our ‘current numbers of minorities on American college campuses,’”  Baca said. “But other than nice words, what does he have to offer?” 

Baca opposes the disassembling in California of statewide affirmative action policies. 

“California and Texas are states with the largest Hispanic populations in the country and they have dismantled their policies,” Baca said. “I hope this decision will cause the states to rethink their policies. In California, we are far from seeing equality in educational opportunities for minorities.”  

“California must remember that we are fighting discrimination that goes back 150 years,” Baca said.