MARC H. MORIAL STATEMENT ON SEN. HARRY REID COMMENTS

While I was troubled by Sen. Reid's comments, I know him to be a committed public servant who has always been a strong supporter of the Urban League Movement and the African-American community.

I appreciated that Sen. Reid reached out to me to express his regrets and I accepted his apology, as many have, because he has earned it. As concerned as I was with Sen. Reid's remarks, I am more troubled by the efforts by some to exploit this incident to score cheap political points rather than seek positive and productive conversations on race.

I respect Sen. Reid's willingness to acknowledge his error and I urge everyone who desires to engage in this conversation to do so in a manner that will advance, not undermine, this important effort.