New York, NY, March 18, 1999…Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) has written the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to clarify his views on the racist political group, the Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC). The League had asked Senator Lott to clarify his involvement with this organization in a December 22 letter.

In his letter to Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, Majority Leader Lott said, "I’ve never been a member of the CCC. Indeed, I can’t imagine being associated with an organization that promotes any form of racial supremacy." The Majority Leader further asserted that he "could never support -- or seek support from -- a group that disdained or demeaned my friends, my neighbors, my staffers or my constituents because of their race or religion."

Mr. Foxman welcomed Senator Lott’s letter and clarifications. However, Mr. Foxman stated that the Majority Leader and other high government officials had "an affirmative responsibility to prevent such groups from gaining the imprimatur of legitimacy they clearly seek through any kind of association with you and other officials."

EDITOR’S NOTE: For a copy of ADL’s Special Report on the Council of Conservative Citizens contact the Media Relations Department at (212) 885-7749 or click here for our on-line report .