Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 8, 1994                   TAG: 9409080089
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CITIZENS' Q&A

Do you believe the Civil Rights Act of 1991 was a good deal?

- Mary Rigney, Radford

Background: The Civil Rights Act of 1991 made it easier for workers to sue employers in discrimination cases.

COLEMAN: "The Civil Rights Act signed by President Bush in 1991 amended civil rights laws in response to some controversial Supreme Court decisions regarding employment discrimination. I strongly believe that every American should have equal opportunity in employment and that no one should be disadvantaged in a job because of his or her race. However, it's too early to pass judgment on the impact of the 1991 law."

NORTH: "I do not believe it was a good deal. Although I strongly support equality of opportunity, this act in effect legitimized quotas, which places a heavy burden on businesses to prove they did not discriminate. It makes the businessman seem guilty and then he must prove his innocence."

ROBB: "I have consistently supported civil rights, equal rights, human rights and women's rights throughout my career in public service. I co-sponsored the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which was passed by both houses of Congress and eventually signed by then-President Bush."

WILDER: "The 1991 Civil Rights Act provided women, religious minorities and the disabled the same rights as racial and ethnic minorities to corrective action and recompense should they be discriminated against."

Got a question? Call our Citizens' Q&A line, and we'll make an effort to track down the candidates. Phone 981-3119 or 1-800-346-1234, ext. 119. Or E-mail us at bwarreninfi.net and be sure to include your name, address and phone number.

Keywords:
POLITICS