1997
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee voted 17-9, on a
bipartisan basis, to defeat legislation aimed at
discriminating federal affirmative action programs
for women and minorities. Representative George
Gekas (R-Pa.), who moved to table the bill, said
that the bill was "useless and counterproductive. I
fear that forcing the issue at this time could
jeopardize the daily progress being made in ensuring
equality."
1997
Bill Lann Lee was appointed Acting Assistant
Attorney General for Civil Rights after facing
opposition to his confirmation because of his
support for affirmative action when he worked for
the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
1997
Lawsuits were filed against the University of
Michigan and the University of Washington School of
Law regarding their use of affirmative action
policies in admissions standards.
1997
In response to Hopwood, the Texas legislature passed
the Texas Ten Percent Plan, which ensures that the
top ten percent of students at all high schools in
Texas have guaranteed admission to the University of
Texas and Texas A&M system, including the two
flagships, UT -- Austin and A&M College Station.
1998
Both the United States House of Representatives and
the United States Senate thwarted attempts to
eliminate specific affirmative action programs. Both
houses rejected amendments to abolish the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program funded
through the Transportation Bill, and the House
rejected an attempt to eliminate use of affirmative
action in admissions in higher education programs
funded through the Higher Education Act.
1998
Ban on use of affirmative action in admissions at
the University of California went into effect. UC
Berkeley had a 61 percent drop in admissions of
African American, Latino/a and Native American
Students, and UCLA had a 36 percent decline.
1998
Voters in Washington passed Initiative 200 banning
affirmative action in higher education, public
contracting and hiring.