Pubdate: Sun, 14 Jan 2001 Source: MSNBC (US Web) Copyright: 2001 MSNBC Contact: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 Feedback: http://bbs.msnbc.com/bbs/msnbc-oped/ Website: http://msnbc.com/news/ Forum: http://www.msnbc.com/bbs/ CLINTON SEEKS TO BRIDGE RACIAL GAP Proposals include reforms to elections, sentencing guidelines NEW YORK, Jan. 14 - On his final Sunday in office, President Clinton urged the incoming administration to establish a commission to study such election reforms as making Election Day a national holiday and restoring the rights of felons to vote. Among the proposals: a federal ban on racial profiling and a fix to the disparity of guidelines on crack and powder-cocaine prison sentences. IN A New York Times editorial, Clinton invoked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who is honored with a national holiday Monday, in outlining several recommendations to improve civil rights and race relations in the United States. "Because of the lessons and sacrifices of people like Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow, we can write a new preamble to the 21st century, in which color differences are not the problem, but the promise, of America," Clinton said. Some of the initiatives will be sent to Congress over his final week in office and others should be addressed by President-elect Bush after he takes office Saturday, Clinton said. COMMISSION SOUGHT Among Clinton's recommendations were: passing a federal ban on racial profiling; addressing the disparity of federal sentencing guidelines on crack and powder-cocaine sentences, and passing legislation to provide greater access to DNA testing in death penalty cases. Clinton advocated forming a nonpartisan election reform commission to be led by former Presidents Ford and Carter to study disparities in voting participation among ethnic groups, classes and races in every state. The panel should recommend to Congress its conclusions on how to achieve uniform standards on voting and on vote counting, he said. Directing his initiatives toward building "One America," Clinton concluded: "Whether you are able to help a single child or lead a national movement for justice, it all begins with a personal commitment. ... I pledge to continue the important work of building One America as I return to the most important job of all: citizen." - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck