Statement of Senator Edward M. Kennedy on Supreme Court’s Decision in the
University of Michigan Affirmative Action Case
The Court’s decision is a resounding vindication for the fundamental
principle that affirmative action can be used in education to promote
equality of opportunity for all students and encourage interaction among
students of diverse backgrounds. Our country has made extraordinary
progress over the past half century toward equality of opportunity in all
aspects of our society, and affirmative action has been an indispensable
part of that success. The entire nation is fortunate that the Supreme
Court, even if by the narrowest of margins, has again refused to slam the
door on that progress.