LEXIS-NEXISŽ Academic Universe-Document

LEXIS-NEXISŽ Academic

February 10, 2001, Saturday, Final Edition

SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A07

LENGTH: 569 words

HEADLINE: Bush Considers Move Against Racial Profiling

BYLINE: Dana Milbank, Washington Post Staff Writer

BODY:

President Bush, visiting Nalle Elementary School in Southeast Washington yesterday, said he will seek opportunities to address the thorny issue of racial profiling, a practice in which police consider a person's race when making traffic stops or holding suspects.

Bush, who went to the school to commemorate Black History Month, was asked by a reporter whether he would establish a panel to examine racial profiling or sign an executive order banning it. "I look at all opportunities, starting with gathering of information, where the federal government can help jurisdictions gather information, compile information to get the facts on the table, to make sure that people are treated fairly in the justice system," he said. Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said the administration will be listening to "various people," including law enforcement authorities, "to move forward on some type of understanding about what can be done." The International Association of Chiefs of Police has requested a meeting with the White House staff, and the White House is planning more meetings.

Fleischer suggested the answer wouldn't be as simple as banning the practice. "It's not as if there is one federal police force that the president can wave a magic wand and make a very, very difficult problem go away," he said. "It involves a lot of local jurisdictions that the United States government does not have direct control over."

President Clinton directed federal law enforcement agencies to compile data on racial profiling, but he declined to suggest a ban.

The gesture and the school visit were the latest efforts by Bush to improve relations with African Americans. In addition to such visits, he has met with black lawmakers and proposed programs, such as his civil society initiative, that would benefit poor minorities.

Bush, whose private school voucher proposal has drawn criticism from public school advocates, said he visited Nalle Elementary, a 450-student public school, to keep the spotlight on District schools. "I think it's important for the capital to stay focused on public education, public education reforms," he said.

Bush, accompanied by Education Secretary Roderick R. Paige and D.C. school Superintendent Paul L. Vance, sat on a chair at the front of the yellow concrete block room and told the 20 third grade children sitting on the floor in front of him: "If you can't read, it's going to be hard to realize dreams, it's going to be hard to go to college."

Posters celebrating February as Black History Month were taped on the walls, and Bush noted to the entirely African American group of students "what's important about Black History Month is to read about different heroes who have made a difference in making history, and to realize there are fantastic role models."

Bush put on a pair of black-framed glasses and read from "More Than Anything Else," a book by Marie Bradby about the young Booker T. Washington. After finishing, Bush turned to reporters and camera crews at the back of the classroom and took questions on a range of subjects, including racial profiling.

Also yesterday, Bush continued to introduce himself to world leaders by telephone. He spoke with Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato and King Mohammed VI of Morocco before heading to Camp David for the weekend.

Staff writer Justin Blum contributed to this report.

LOAD-DATE: April 02, 2002