---
title: 'NEW VOICES: President Bush Expresses Concerns about Racial Disparities, Fairness and Adequate Representation in Death Cases'
description: 'During his recent State of the Union address before Congress, President George W. Bush raised concerns about race, wrongful convictions, and adequate…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-voices-president-bush-expresses-concerns-about-racial-disparities-fairness-and-adequate-representation-in-death-cases'
section: news
date: '2005-02-11T18:56:53-05:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:22:36-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

During his recent State of the Union address before Congress, President George W. Bush raised concerns about race, wrongful convictions, and adequate representation for those facing the death penalty:

Because one of the main sources of our national unity is our belief   
 in equal justice, we need to make sure Americans of all races and   
 backgrounds have confidence in the system that provides justice.

In America we must make doubly sure no person is held to account  
 for a crime he or she did not commit -- so we are dramatically   
 expanding the use of DNA evidence to prevent wrongful conviction.

Soon I will send to Congress a proposal to fund special training   
 for defense counsel in capital cases, because people on trial for   
 their lives must have competent lawyers by their side.

(Washington Post, February 3, 2005). See also DPIC's Summary of the [Justice For All Act](/dpic-summary-innocence-protection-act-2004?scid=40&did=1234), a more comprehensive approach to the same problems passed into law in 2004. See also, [Innocence](/innocence-and-death-penalty?did=412&scid=6).