U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

WHAT:

Briefing of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent, bipartisan agency charged with monitoring and protecting civil rights

WASHINGTON DC - The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, observing the 40th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, will hear testimony from a panel of voting rights experts regarding the advantages and disadvantages of reauthorizing its temporary provisions, expected to be undertaken by Congress shortly. The briefing will focus primarily on the relevance and necessity of Section 5 of the act, under which nine states, mostly in the Deep South, and also scattered counties and townships across the nation from California to New York, are required to obtain federal approval before implementing any proposed electoral changes.

A panel including: Edward Blum, Visiting Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Ronald K. Gaddie, Professor of Political Science, University of Oklahoma; and Jon M. Greenbaum, Director, Voting Rights Project, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, will give remarks and respond to questions from the Commissioners.

WHEN:

Friday, October 7, 2005, 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:

U.S. House of Representatives
2226 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515