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Deltas Condemn Remarks By Former Education Secretary

Washington, D.C. – Members of the National Executive Board of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a major African American women's organization, unanimously voted to urge the cancellation of former Education Secretary William Bennett's syndicated radio talk show for suggesting during his broadcast last week that aborting black children would reduce the U.S. crime rate. The Delta board took this action while meeting in Philadelphia, PA on October 1 in preparation for their 48th National Convention to be held in that city in July 2006.

"As our nation copes with the extraordinary pain and suffering caused by the natural disasters that have devastated the Gulf Coast region and displaced thousands of Americans, we find it highly offensive for Mr. Bennett to inflict further pain while we attempt to heal our nation," said Dr. Louise A. Rice, national president of the Sorority, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. "Mr. Bennett's remarks were thoughtless, irresponsible, and wholly inappropriate."

A public service organization that has fought against social injustices since its inception in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta vowed that it will work with the Congressional Black Caucus and other national organizations to have Bennett's talk show removed from the Salem Radio Network. The Sorority represents African American women who have helped lead the nation through turbulent times, including the civil rights movement and, at the time of its founding, the women's suffrage movement. "Many of us are mothers of African American children, and we believe that Mr. Bennett's insensitive and inexcusable remarks represent a new low in racism," added Dr. Rice. "We are also the daughters of triumphant African American women and along with our mothers we have contributed immensely to building this nation. Bennett's remarks dishonor our legacy and defiles the contribution of future generations of African American children. His show should be pulled from the air immediately."

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization of more than 200,000 college-educated African American women located in 46 states, the U.S . Virgin Islands, and abroad. Its extensive programming centers on five key areas: economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.