wfn.org | "Forward Bill Lann Lee Nomination" –

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

Religious Leaders

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A.
Contact: Carol Fouke, NCC News, 212-870-2252
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

NCC11/12/97 

MOVE BILL LANN LEE'S NOMINATION TO THE FULL U.S. 
SENATE,
RELIGIOUS LEADERS URGE IN A RARE STATEMENT ABOUT A 
NOMINEE

 WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 11 ---- National 
religious leaders, in a rare statement about a 
nominee to public office, today (Nov. 11) called on 
the Senate Judiciary Committee to end the 
"inordinate politicizing" that has deadlocked Bill 
Lann Lee's nomination to the position of Assistant 
Attorney General for Civil Rights, and to forward 
his name to the full U.S. Senate for confirmation.

 At a news conference called by the National 
Council of Churches (NCC), a panel of Protestant and 
Roman Catholic Christian and Jewish leaders blasted 
the Senate Judiciary Committee for sidetracking fair 
hearings into a policy debate on affirmative action, 
which, they said, does not belong in that forum.  
Mr. Lee's nomination is deadlocked in committee 
because several Republican senators oppose the 
Administration's position on affirmative action.

 "We are deeply disappointed at the inordinate 
politicizing of what has every right to be a 
straightforward confirmation hearing," said the Rev. 
Dr. Joan B. Campbell, NCC General Secretary.  "It is 
not usually our practice to advocate for specific 
nominations but on this nomination we see no glaring 
or disqualifying reason for Mr. Lee's nomination not 
to move forward appropriately."

 Rabbi Daniel Swartz, representing the Religious 
Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the text 
of a letter sent today to the Senate Judiciary 
Committee by 25 national religious, civil liberties 
and community organizations, including the NCC.

 "We are national organizations that rarely or 
never endorse or oppose nominees for executive 
branch positions," they wrote.  "So, too, we are not 
taking a formal position on the nomination of Bill 
Lann Lee....However, the nature of the emerging 
debate over his nomination has gravely alarmed us, 
and required us to speak out.  That this candidate, 
who has been described as eminently qualified by 
supporters and most critics of the nomination, has 
had his nomination sidetracked into a policy debate 
over affirmative action ill serves both America and 
the cause of civil rights.
-more-

 "The President of the United States has a 
right, except in the most extreme circumstances, to 
appoint officials to implement his views," they said 
in the letter.  "Mr. Lee's view that affirmative 
action remains a constitutional, legal and effective 
means of redressing infringements on civil rights, a 
view we share, is completely in consonance with the 
President's long-held position."

 The Rev. Paul Ojibway of the Graymoor 
Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute, added, "The 
nomination of Bill Lann Lee should not be held 
hostage by accusations and false information.  He's 
been accused of not being race-neutral.  In fact, 
his race-related cases have been in favor of 
neutrality under the law as he has sought to address 
intentional racial discrimination.  He's well-
qualified to serve.  I urge the Senate Judiciary 
Committee to give him and all people a fair chance 
and to vote in his favor."

 Besides Dr. Campbell, Rev. Ojibway and Rabbi 
Swartz, other participants in today's news 
conference were: Elenora Giddings Ivory, Director of 
the Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.); the Rev. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett, 
General Secretary of the General Board of Church and 
Society of the United Methodist Church, and the Rev. 
Dr. Bennett W. Smith Jr., President of the 
Progressive National Baptist Convention.

 Religious organizations signing the letter to 
the Senate Judiciary Committee included the American 
Friends Service Committee (Washington Office), 
American Jewish Congress, Church Women United, 
Friends Committee on National Legislation, National 
Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), 
Union of American Hebrew Congregations, United 
Church of Christ Office for Church in Society, and 
Women of Reform Judaism.

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