Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 3, 1991 TAG: 9104030624
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-8 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Wilder encouraged those attending the Virginia Business Opportunity Fair on Tuesday night to lobby Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1991.
"Congress showed its willingness to stand on the front lines last year. For the sake of this and future generations of Americans, the White House cannot be allowed to go AWOL again this year," Wilder said, referring to President Bush's veto of the civil rights bill last year.
"I hope, indeed, urge, those of you here this evening who, time and again, have witnessed the increase in commerce and prosperity which invariably arises from the opening of doors of opportunity, [to lobby] Congress and the president for passage of this much-needed legislation."
Wilder said his administration employs more women and minorities in top positions "than at any time in Virginia history." Wilder's Cabinet includes a black man, a black woman and a white woman among the eight secretaries.
He also announced that the state lottery had just awarded a $10 million, three-year contract to GOVA Inc., a minority-owned company in Newport News, to provide field services for the lottery's computerized game terminals. "Notwithstanding these inroads in Virginia state government, we also realize that many women and minorities remain underemployed," Wilder said.
"Fortunately, there are cooperative undertakings such as the Business Opportunity Fair to ensure that the open market remains precisely that," Wilder said. Congress showed its willingness to stand on the front lines last year. For the sake of this and future generations of Americans, the White House cannot be allowed to go AWOL again this year. Gov. Douglas Wilder
by CNB