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."