STATE OF CIVIL RIGHTS - 1979 - A REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES COMMISION CIVIL RIGHTS

• NCJ Number: 65093
• Author(s): W B JOHNSON; C BROWN; E WALTERS; C SOMERS
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 42 pages
• Corporate Author: US Cmssn on Civil Rights
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE STATE OF CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1979 IS ASSESSED BY DOCUMENTING THE PROGRESS MADE IN EDUCATION, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS AREAS SUCH AS VOTING RIGHTS AND POLICE PRACTICES.

Abstract

IN HOUSING, MINORITY FAMILIES CONTINUED TO ENCOUNTER DISCRIMINATION, AS DOCUMENTED BY FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS. THE DEFICIENCIES IN TITLE VIII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1968 ARE IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE PROPOSED FAIR HOUSING AMENDMENTS OF 1979 TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT ARE DESCRIBED. ACTIVITIES OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL REGULATORY AGENCIES TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION BY HOUSING LOAN INSTITUTIONS ARE REVIEWED; SIGNIFICANT FAIR HOUSING LITIGATION CASES IN 1979 ARE DESCRIBED; AND DEFICIENCIES IN THE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ARE IDENTIFIED. IN EDUCATION, THE CONTINUANCE OF DE FACTO SEGREGATION OF NEARLY HALF OF THE NATION'S MINORITY CHILDREN IS NOTED. SIGNIFICANT SUPREME COURT CASES IN WHICH SYSTEMATIC DESEGREGATION WAS MANDATED ARE DESCRIBED. AMENDMENTS AND BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE CONGRESS IN 1979 THAT WOULD LIMIT SCHOOL DESEGREGATION PROGRESS ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION OF THE FOLLOWING DEFEATED PROPOSALS: THE COLLINS AMENDMENT, THE MOTTL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THE ASHBROOK AMENDMENT, AND THE WALKER AMENDMENT. THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL MEASURES STILL PENDING BEFORE CONGRESS THAT WOULD LIMIT DESEGREGATION EFFORTS ARE REVIEWED: THE EAGLETON-BIDEN AMENDMENT, THE ROTH-BIDEN BILL, AND THE NATIONAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1979. IN THE AREA OF MINORITY EMPLOYMENT, PROGRESS IN 1979 IS DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL PROGRAMS: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT--DISPLACED HOMEMAKERS, MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, EFFORTS TO COMBAT RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, THE GARCIA AMENDMENT TO THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978, VETERANS PREFERENCE, AND THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT. ADDITIONAL ACTIONS ARE IDENTIFIED THAT MUST BE TAKEN IN HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS CONCERNS TO FURTHER COMBAT CONTINUING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES. FOOTNOTES AND FOUR CHARTS ARE PROVIDED. (DEG)