Affirmative Action/Quotas/Civil Rights/1964 civil rights

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Expert: - 8/6/2009


Question
Regarding the 1964 Civil Rights Act, I am interested in knowing which political party was dominant influence in its passage. I know that both JFK and Johnson pushed for it, but also there was southern opposition to it largely in the south from both parties. Which party ultimately committed more votes to its passage in Congress? Thank you.

Answer
Hi David,

After going through compromises and changes in the Act which Congress does routinely on just about every bill going from the House to the Senate and back to the House with the revisions, the final vote was:

Democratic Party: 153-91   (63%-37%)
Republican Party: 136-35   (80%-20%)

Breakdown by North/South regions:

Southern Democrats: 1-20   (5%-95%) (only Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas voted in favor)
Southern Republicans: 0-1   (0%-100%) (this was Senator John Tower of Texas)
Northern Democrats: 45-1   (98%-2%) (only Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia opposed the measure)
Northern Republicans: 27-5   (84%-16%) (Senators Bourke Hickenlooper of Iowa, Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Edwin L. Mechem of New Mexico, Milward L. Simpson of Wyoming, and Norris H. Cotton of New Hampshire opposed the measure)

John

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John Fuller

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I can answer questions pertaining to Affirmative Action, how an affirmative action plan is developed, definitations included within an affirmative action plan, goals versus quotas, misperceptions, rolling out the affirmative action plan with specific action items and areas that are action items. I can answer questions pertaining to Civil Rights violations, investigations of violations and methods and means to be proactive to ensure awareness of civil rights. I am not an attorney and cannot answer or provide information relating to legal, court-related, or case law.

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Experience in the area Diversity,EEO, and Affirmative Action Officer for Johns Hopkins Hospital EEO, Ethics, and Affirmative Action Officer for Fortune 300 Deputy Director, Equal Opportunity for the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute Organizations Board of Directors, National Council for Support of Disability Issues Board of Direcdtors, Institute for MultiTrack Diplomacy Maryland Association of Affirmative Action Officers Publications Guest expert discussing discrimination, sexual harassment in the workplace and affirmative action on over 45 radio stations nationwide Education/Credentials Doctor of Education Master of Science, Leadership & Business Ethics Master of Arts, Education Virginia and Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator Department of Defense Certified Mediator

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