Chairman Arthur S. Flemming Vice Chairman Stephen Horn President, California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, California Members Frankie M. Freeman Attorney St. Louis, Missouri Manuel Ruiz, Jr. Attorney Los Angeles, California Murray Saltzman Rabbi Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Indianapolis, Indiana Staff Director John A. Buggs 23-288 O-78-35 AUTHORITY The United States Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan, factfinding agency established by Congress under the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Commission is authorized to: Investigate complaints alleging that citizens are being deprived of their right to vote because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or, in the case of Federal elections, by fraudulent practices. • Study legal developments constituting a denial of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, or in the administration of justice. • Appraise the laws and policies of the Federal Government with respect to denials of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, or in the administration of justice. • Serve as a national clearinghouse for civil rights information. Submit reports of its activities, findings, and recommendations to the President and Congress. The Commission is not an enforcement agency and has no power to apply specific remedies in individual cases. Complaints about denials of rights are usually referred to the appropriate Federal agencies for action. ORGANIZATION Six Commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, set policy for the Commission and conduct periodic hearings. The Staff Director, who also is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, has overall responsibility for developing and managing the program of the agency. The Office of the Staff Director plans, directs, and coordinates the work of the Commission staff, with the consultation of the Commissioners. Within this office are: The Deputy Staff Director, who assists in managing the agency and assumes full management responsibility when the Staff Director is absent. The Special Assistant for Policy Development, who serves as senior advisor to the Staff Director in the design and implementation of agency activities. The Special Assistant for Program Also within the Office of the Staff Director are: The Congressional Liaison Unit, which co- Members of Congress, and keeps Commissioners and staff informed of legislative developments. The Equal Opportunity Unit, which conducts the internal equal opportunity program. The Program Evaluation Unit, which conducts comprehensive program evaluation, develops evaluation components for individual Commission projects, and examines the historical and current impacts of Commission programs. The Public Affairs Unit, which prepares and disseminates information about the Commission and its studies and publications through the press, radio, and television and maintains liaison with the news media. The Regional Offices Liaison Unit, which coordinates the activities and publications of the Commission's 51 State Advisory Committees and directs the nine regional Commission offices that provide staff assistance to the Committees. The Women's Rights Program Unit, which was created when the Commission's jurisdiction was expanded in 1972 to include sex discrimination. The unit identifies and evaluates women's rights issues, proposes Commission studies of these issues, and organizes and maintains liaison with national, private, and research institutions concerned with these issues. |