Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the constitutionality of the University of Texas’ affirmative action admission initiatives:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin is another victory for diversity and inclusion in higher education. The Supreme Court has made it very clear that racial diversity in the halls of our institutions of higher learning is integral to every student’s learning experience. This decision strengthens a policy that has opened doors for many qualified minorities across the country to attend colleges and universities that may have overlooked them before. The University of Texas has shown a commitment to diversity among its student population and is constantly looking for ways to perfect the methods to achieve this goal.
The enduring effects of discrimination are still present in the lives of many Americans today. The Supreme Court’s ruling recognizes this fact and upholds a policy that has helped to even the playing field for students across this country. Here, in Congress and across America, we must continue to fight to ensure that access to quality and affordable higher education exists for all Americans.”
