The United States Commission on Civil Rights
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent,
bipartisan agency established by Congress in 1957, reconstituted in 1983, and
reauthorized in 1994. It is directed to investigate complaints alleging that
citizens are being deprived of their right to vote by reason of their race,
color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or by reason of
fraudulent practices; study and collect information relating to discrimination
or a denial of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of
race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the
administration of justice; appraise federal laws and policies with respect to
discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws because of race, color,
religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration of
justice; serve as a national clearinghouse for information in respect to
discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws because of race, color,
religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin; submit reports, findings,
and recommendations to the President and Congress; and issue public service
announcements to discourage discrimination or denial of equal protection of the
laws.
The State Advisory Committees
By law, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has
established an advisory committee in each of the 50 states and the District of
Columbia. The committees are composed of state citizens who serve without
compensation. The committees advise the Commission of civil rights issues in
their states that are within the Commission's jurisdiction. More specifically,
they are authorized to advise the Commission on matters of their state s
concern in the preparation of Commission reports to the President and the
Congress; receive reports, suggestions, and recommendations from individuals,
public officials, and representatives of public and private organizations to
committee inquiries; forward advice and recommendations to the Commission, as
requested; and observe any open hearing or conference conducted by the
Commission in their states.