Rep. Takano Statement on SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions, INC, v President and Fellows of Harvard College ruling.
“Today the Supreme Court upended decades of precedent regarding affirmative action policies intended to increase the representation of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups by overturning Grutter v. Bollinger.
“As an Asian American graduate of the University of California, Riverside and Harvard University, I firmly believe I have benefitted from the policy of affirmative action. All students should have access to a quality education, and we know students benefit when our institutions reflect the diversity of our country. As a former public school teacher, I am a strong supporter of race-conscious admissions policies such as affirmative action that allow race to be considered alongside many factors in the college admissions process. There is ample evidence that many Americans support this policy integral in promoting campus diversity and closing educational gaps.
“Despite this conservative effort to undermine racial justice and diversity within our education system, and more largely our society, I will continue to fight with my colleagues to advance equal opportunity in education. Affirmative action policies give students of color a fair shot, and we will seek innovative ways to help ensure diversity and equal opportunity in higher education.”