222651 ORIOIHAL�TO CiTr CLlRK •
' ' .` . CITY OF ST. PAUL couNCa NO_ ������
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK FIlE
' ` �COUNCIL RESOLUTI N—GENERAL FORM
, �
�RESENTED EY ,--
COMMISSIONE _ " �� DAT�
WHEREA� on March 16, 1965, the Honorable George J.
Vavoulis sen� a telegram to the Senators and Representatives
from Minnesota in Congress assembled, which telegram read
as follows:
"Americaf s future and confirming symbol of a free and
democratic society can only be maintained by all
Americans being able to exercise their inalienable
right to vote.
''I respectfully urge yo� to let Americans know that
the citizens of �aint Faul and Mi'nnesota demand that
the right to vote shall be- guaranteed."
now, therefore, be it
RE�OLVED� That the Council of the Gity of Saint Paul�
on behalf of inembers of the Co�.ncil and the citizens of tl�e
City of Saint Faul concur in the tenor and import of said
telegram and urge that Congressional action be taken to
strengthen the Constitutional guarantees to all citizens;
and be it
FtTRTHEE� RF�OLVED� That the City Clerk is hereby authorized
and directed to send certified copie�s of this Resolution to
�enators Walter F. Mondale and k�.igene J. McCarthy� and to
Representatives Joseph Karth, Clark McGregor, Odin Langen, �
Albert Qtzie� Ancher Nelsen� John Blatnik� Donald Fraser and
Alec Olson.
FQ APPROVED �
�sst.. Corporatian C anse! MNtt 2 5 19�
COLJNCILMEN Adopted by the Council 19—
Yeas Nays
Dalglish �AR �" '� ���
Holland � Approved 19—
Loss � �`�%/��--, ,
Tn Favor
Metedith �
n,.. MA�OY
-�—
o?hd ✓cCg �n--
As��t Actid9
Mr. President, �a�oviis—�L�e YSa
� � '� i�UBLISHED ��R 2 7 996�
�o� ��
DilPCICAT[TO~rRIHT[R , ����_A�
` ' �� , CITY OF ST. PAUL couNCa �i�
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK F��� NO
' COUNCIL RESOLUTION--GENERAL FORN!
rRESENTED tY
COMMISSIONEe DATF
i�THEREAS� on March 16, 1965� tho HonQrable George J:
Vavoulis sent a t�legra,m to th� Senators and Representatives
from Minnesota �.n Cangress �.ssembled� wh3,c�. �e],egram read
as �ollows�
"�merica' s future and co.nfirming symbol. ofi a free and
democr$tic saciety can o�.l.y �e maintained by a11
.Americans be�.ng able to exereise their inalienable
riglat �o vot�e.
"� xesp�ctgully v.rge you to let Amaricans know �hat
the citizens of Saia�.t l�a�t�, anci I�i9.nnQSOta der�a�ad �h�.t
. - the righ� to vote shal�. be guaran�eed."
now� th�r�ft���� '�e 3t �
R�SOLY�U� That the Council of tl�e �ity oF Saint Paul�
on b�half of �emfi�exs of �he Cc►�,tncil, and the c3.tizens oF �he
C�.ty of Saint pau�. aoncur i,r� tY�e tenor and import of sai.d
telegram and urge tha�G �on�res�ional actian be �aken tc�
streng�hen the �Qnstit�t�,ona1 gu.arantess �o all c3.ti.zen�;
and be �.t
FQ�i�HER RL�SO�,�tFDf 7,'Y:�t the City �lerk is hereby authori�ed
ax�.d direc�ed to sond cert�.�ied copies of �his Resolution to
Sen�tors Wa3ter �. i�ondale and �u.gene J. McCarthy� a�d to
Represen�atives �osepk� Karth Clark McGregor� Odin Langen�
Albar� Quie� Ancher Nelsens �'ohn B�atnik; l�onald Fraser and
Alee Olson.
�AR 2 51965
COUNCILI�N Adopted by the Council 19—
Yeas Nays
Dalglish �pR 2 51965
Holland Approv� 19—
Loss �� Tn Favor
Meredith
Peterson U MAyOt
V A Bg�gt
��€n—
Mr�-,�r�es�iden ,
io�s e-ss
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. �°; ' SRepr.esentatives� Joseph Karth, Clarlc McGregor, Odin' Langen, 'Albext Quie, � ".
� _ t� - ` � � Arich,er Nelsen, Jol�-Blatnik,'Donald FraseT and Alec Olson._ ".
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OQIN LANGEN 1519 Lorrawoart�OFFlCe B!.
7TH DISTRICT,MINNESOTA r TELEPHONE:CAPITOL 49121
Exr�Sla+2185
COMMITTEEs
� APPROPRIATIONS �o�gre�� o� t�je �t�ite� �tate;� HOME:KENNmY.MINN.
�ou�e of �ie�re�etttati�e� �ECUTIVE3ECREfARY
AUDREY HAGEN
�a�jit�gtOri,�.(�.
March 29, 1965
Nlr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
City Clerk
City of Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
Dear N1r. Gerber:
Thank you for your courtesy in forward-
ing me a copy of the resolution of the St. Paul
City Council urging that the right to vote be
guaranteed to all citizens.
I am plessed that you have forwarded this
concern registered by the Council in behalf of the
citizens of St. Paul.
With best personal regards,
S n yours,
r V �
/
0 N LANGE
Member of Co ess
OL:c�
DONALD M. FRASER FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Sn+D�srw�cr.M�rwfieaiq
WfoCOMMITTEEa:
492 HWS6OFFIGE BUIIJ71N0 $TAT6 DEPARTMElII'OROANIZATION
� CA 48121.�.4�58 �or�gre�� o� t�je �t�fteb �ta�te� �Faa��aN Or�nu+a
DALE MAGIVER INTERNAT�OtUL OftGAN�zATiONB
�nMiN�ern�nve�ssisr�e�r �ou�e of �te�re�entatibe� �r+o Mw�sr+ra
�as�jfrtgto�,�.(�. 20515
March 30, 1965
Mr: Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
City Clerk .
City of St. Pau1
386 City xall
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
Dear Mr. Gerber:
Tha.nk you very much for your letter of Ma,rch 25th
enclosing a copy of the resolution of the St. Pa,u1 City
Council concerning the voting rights of all Americans.
I am. very pleased to knaw of this action by the City
CoU.ncil and T appreciate your sending me a copy of the
resolution.
With best wishes.
S' erely,
Dona,ld M. F`raser
/xNCHER NELSE[�I COMMITTEES:
HUTCHINSON�MINtg50TA INTERSTAT6ANDFOREIGNCOMM6RCS
DIBTRIGT OF COWMBIA
• 2o Diarix�cr Courmes,
BROWN R� NICOLLET (�or�gre�� o� t�je �r�f teb �ta�te� OFFICE:
CARVER NOBLES ROOM 1539
COTTONWOOD PIPESTONE LANGWORTti HOUSE OFFICE B�cc.
FARIBAULT ROCK T�EpHOnl6s CA 4-8121,Ex7.2472
JACKSON SCOTT �ou�e of �e�re�entatibe�
LeSUEUR SIBLEY
McLEOD WASECA ����l���Y��f �• �Lli�
MARTIN WATONWAN J ��
March 30, 1965
Mr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
City of Saint Paul
Bureau of Records
386 City Hall
St. Paul, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Gc�rber:
Thank you for providing me with a copy of
the resolution enacted by the St. Paul City Council
urging that Congressional action be taken to stren�then
the Constitution to insure that the right to vote shall
be guarantePd all Americans. I am pleased to have this
expression from the Council as well as the telegram
from Mayor Vavoulis.
I am sure the over�ahelmin� majority of Armericans
believe deeply that the basic, Constitutional right to
vote without re�ard to race, color, creed or sex must
be guaranteed to all citizens of this country. I share
that view. The task at hand is more fully insuring
the right to vote without doing basic violence to exist-
ing Constitutional provisions nor impairing state and
local voting controls where these are fairly admittistered.
Please express my gratitude to the Council and
Mayor Vavoulis for their willingness to speak out upon
this fundamental question, and assure them of my
interest and concern in such voting rights legislation
as will do the job--insuring all Americans the right to
the ballot without regard to the color of their skin.
Sincerely yo rs,
��� � .
�
Ancher Nelsen, M. C.
�
lj � HARRY RLOOD BYRD.VA.�CHAIRMAN
�� RUSSELI.B.LONG,LA. JOHN J.WILLIAMS,DEL.
6EORGE A.SMATHERS.FLA.� FRANK CARLSON,KANS.
CLINTON P.ANDER30N�N.MIX. WALLACE F.BENNEPi.UTAH
PAUL H.DOU�LAS.ILL.. CARL T.CURTIS.NEBR.
.ALBERT GORE,TENN. THRUSTON B.MORTON,KY.
HERMAN E.TALMADGE�QA. EVERETi MCKINLEY DIRKSEN.ILLs �Cr���e� ,��cxf e� ,�er�af e
EUGENE J.MCCARTHY.MINN.
VANCE HARTKE,IND.
�.w.pui.eRiaHr,�RK. COMMI'ITEE ON FINANCE
A6RAHAM RIBICOFF.COMI.
ELIZABETH B.SPRIN6ER.CHIEF CLERK
March 30, 1965
Mr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
City Clerk, City of Saint Paul
. 386 City Hall
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
� Dear Mr. Gerber:
I appreciate having a copy of the
resolution of the St. Paul City Council in
support of voting rights legislation. _
The President' s message, I believe,
has set 'the course for immediate action with
reference to voter registration.
I think the proposal for federal reg-
istrars comes very late. In 1960, I supported
an amendment which was defeated. This amendment
provided for federal registration. Again in
1963, I co-sponsored legislation which was re-
jected as a part of the civil rights bill and
which also provided for federal registration.
I shall certainly support the strongest
possible measures, as I believe the federal gov-
ernment has primary responsibility to protect the
voting rights of the people of the country, not
only in federal elections but in state and local
elections as well.
I also believe we should give some
thought to procedures whereby the authority of
� J.. •
Mr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
March 30, 1965
page 2
the federal government can be more readily and -
effectively exercised when the basic rights of
Americans are denied or withheld, either by
extra-legal forms or by local police or military
authorities.
Third, I believe, and do hope in view
of Selma and other recent incidents, that the
Senate of the United States will change its .
rules so as to permit an end to debate by
majority vote. I think all of these things
are necessary as conditions to insuring indi-
vidual rights and liberties of Americans.
With best wishes.
. Sincerely yours,
Euge J. c arthy �
EJM:aw
JOSEPH E KARTH • toxxmee ox
1rx Dissa�tt,Mixxesor� SCIENLE AND ASTRONAUTICS
�
J2G CANNON OfFlCE BOILWHG SOBCOldYliTEB ON
• ���" �ottgreg� of t�je �ttfteb �tate� NASA OVERSIGHT
7�ou�,�0� �e„�E�,e���tt�e� cxen�wu+.swcabdmee an
a�t �r � SPACE SCIENCES AND
�agljington,�.f�. 20515 �PLICATIONS
April 2, 1g65 .
Mr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
City Clerk
City of St. Pa.ul
386 Cit3. xa11.
St. Paul, Nlinnesota 55102
Deax Mr. Gerber:
Tha.nk you for your thoughtfl�lness in
sending me a copy of the resolution of the
St. Pa,ul City Cauncil, dema.nding that the
right to vote sha.11 be guaranteed all Americans.
Sincerely yours,
h E. Kart
JEK:eb
r �'�--Z b �I
CLARK MACGREGOR � COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
THir�Disnucr.Mna+esor� '
� DISTRICT OFFICE:
WA3HIN6TON OFFICE: 120 U.S.CAU�E
• 996 CAM�ION OPPIGE BUILDINCi 1� P �,}(.��, �Ay P MIlWEAPOLim.MINNESOTA
PFfGNE�225-2871 �Co�gre�� o� t�je �i�V� pf��K�V� PHONE�894-2179
ADMIMSTRATIVEA9516TAHT: '�DU�4 O� �`�`E�G+`���V`� OIBTRICTREPREmQl�AT1VE
DAVID N.KROfaSENCa ROBERT A.McCANN
• �as'�jfngtori,�.�. 20515
April 9, 1965
Mr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
Office of the City Clerk •
City of Saint Paul
Bureau of Records
386 City Hall
St. Paul 2, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Gerber: �
Thank you for your recent letter on voting rights legis-
lation aad the eaclosure.
As a member of the House Judiciary Co�ittee, I am par-
ticularly concerned that we take the aecessary stepe, in accordance
with the provisions of the U. S. Coastitution, to promptly and ef-
fectively guaraatee the right of every qualified American voter to
register and cast his ballot, and to have that ballot counted, in
all elections regardless of his race, color, or creed.
Whether this legislation is the bill I introduced some
time ago, whether it is the modified Administration recommendations,
whether it is all or part of the legislstioa introduced by other
Congresamea, or whether it is a combination of the faregoing ia
aow being determiaed by the House Judiciary Camnittee. I trust
that a Constitutionally proper legislative end-produc� will be pro-
duced shortly.
Siacerely,
;����.�e /��
Congressmaa Clark MacGr
CM:sk
Encl.
A:WIWS fiOBERTSON�VA:�CHAIRMAN
JOHN SPARKMAN�ALAr WALLACE F.BENNFTT�tJTAH
PAUL H.OOUGLAB.ILLt JOHN G.TOWER.TEX�
WIWAM PROXMIRE.WISt 6TROM THURMOND�B.0
HARRISON A.WILLIAMS�JRe�N.J: BOURK6 B.HICKENI.00PER�IOWA
r EDMUND 3.MU3KIE,MAINE ��,��e� ,��af e� .�er�caf e
EDWARD V.LON6,MO.
MAURINE B.NEUBERGER,OREO.
THOMAS J.MC INTYRE�N.H:
WALTER F.MONDALE,MINN. � COMMI7TEE ON BANKING AND CURRENCY
MATTHEW HALE�CHIEF OR STAFF
' April 7, 1g65
Mr. Robert B. Gerber� Jr.
City Clerk
City of St. Paul
386 City Hall
St . Paul, Minnesota 55102
Dear Mr. Gerber;
Thank you very much for sending me a
copy of the resolution of the St. Paul
City Council urging my support for Congressional
action to guarantee the right to vote to all
citizens .
Would you please convey to Mayor Vavoulis
and the distinguished members of the City
Council my appreciation for their support in
this matter. As you know, I have co-sponsored
the Voting Rights Act of 1g65, and intend to
work to improve that legislation so that the
15th Amendment guarantee of voting rights will
be real and effective for all our citizens,
whatever race or color.
Very truly yours,
.
WALTER F. MONDALE
ALBERT H.QUIE courR�es:
1SpD1ETRICT,MINN660TA DAKOTA MOWER
DODGE OLMSTED
FILLMORE RICE
COMMITTEES: FREEBORN 8TEF1E
� A6RICULTURE �or�gre�� of t�je �rrite� �ta:te� 6OODHUE WABASHA
EDUCATION AND LABOR HOUSTON WINONA
�ouge of �e�re�etttatibeg
� �a��jf�gton.�. Q�.
April 13, 1965
Mr. Robert B. Gerber, Jr.
City Clerk
City of St. Paul
386 City Hall
St. Paul, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Gerber:
Thank you for your letter of March 25 and the
enclosed resolution of the City Council concerning the
strengthening of constitutional guarantees to all citizens
of the right to vote.
I have long felt the need for voting rights legis-
lation, and it is for that reasoa that I introduced my own
bill some time ago, along with a number of my Republican
colleagues, in order to emphasize the urgency for strong
voting rights legislation.
The House Judiciary Subcomnittee is now consider-
ing voting rights legislation, and I am hopeful that a strong
bill will be reported at an early date for action on the
Floor and pasaed at aa early date. I will be working hard
for such an a�compliahment.
' ia erely your
T H. QUIE
Member of Congress
AHQ/mm
, .y
' ,}
t
' For release Wednesday, March 31, 1965 Congressman Clark MacGregor
336 Cannon Office Building
VOTING RIGHTS: HOW BEST Washington, D. C. 20515
TO GUARANTEE THEM
The most vital problem before the Congress of the United States today
ia the question of new voting rights legislation. The legislative effort this
year began on February 8. On that day a number of Republicans in the Rouse of
Representatives introduced legielation, The bill now has some 30 sponsors, of
which I am one.
This legislative approach would build on the 1957, 1960, and 1964 Civil
Rights Acts. The legislation would give to the Executive Branch of the United
States government, the power to take the initiative in setting in motion the pro-
cedure £or regiatering peraons who allege that they have been denied the right to
vote in any case where a Federal Court is alow to act or negligent in the conduct
of its responaibilities. �
The bill would require the court to promptly take a poeition; with the
right to vote justice delayed is truly �ustice denied. We would provide that
where a court finda that 50 or more qualified citizena in a voting district have
been denied the right to vote, the Federal Court muat find that a pattern or
practice of discrimination exisCs. Having found auch pattesm or practice, the
court must appoint one or more federal registrars to register citizens similarly
situated within the area who have been denied the right to vote. If the court
fails to make the finding or fails to appoint registrars within 40 days, the
PresidenC shall do so if he receivea certified statementa under oath from 50
qualified citizens in the area that they have been denied the right to vote.
Thereafter, the Federal registrars shall receive applications and reg-
ister qualified citizens within the area. Any applicant who has a sixth grade
educaCion shall be deemed to have complied with all literacy, education, knowledge
or intelligence requirements. Registrars should also diaregard any poll tax re-
quirements.
Federal registrars would have the duty of overseefng any elections in
the affected area. If local voting officials refuse to permit persons to vote
who have been registered by the federal registrars, these persons would be held
in contempt of court.
On March 17, the Administration bill was final�.y presented to the
Congress. This legislation is predicated exclueively on the 15th Amendment.
That Amendment provides that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account
VOTING RIGHTS: flOW BEST TO GUARANTEE THEM
March 31, 1965 - Page �2
of race (or) colo� .�." The Congress, in Section 2 of Amendment 15, is apecifi-
cally empowered to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The Adminiatratioa bill, unlike the bills that were introduced in Feb-
ruary, would bypass the courta completely in ite initial application. Also,
unlike the earlier legislation, it would not cover discrimination throughout the
country but would apply only to selected a.reas, primarily in the Deep South.
The Congress ia now dealing with the following queationa raiaed by the
Administration's bill:
1. Whether the bi11 is appropriate legislation to implement
the 15th Amendment and whether a etate can be barred from
uaing, as a test for qualificatione for voting, a proper
literacy examination. The Supreme Court held generally,
as late ae 1959, that literacy tests were proper.
2. Whether the basic assumption can be used that a coinci-
dence of low registration or voting and the use of voCer
tests proves that there has been discrimination because
of race.
3. Whether the burden of constitutionality can be placed on
a state to show that it has not discriminated for a past
period o£ up to 10 years, rath�$ than continuing to re-
quire the Justice Department to prove that it has in fact
discriminated,
These queations are aow before both the House and the Se�ate. I am
satisfied that we will promptly resolve theae questions and approve an effective
voter registration bill which will not violate any provision of the Constitution,
either the 15th Amendment or those parts of the Conatitution which leave to the
atates the right to establish voter qualifications.
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