September 12-13, 2012
Arkansas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Announces a Fact-finding Meeting:
Question: “Who Is Enforcing Civil Rights in Arkansas: Is There a Need for a State Civil Rights Agency”
Kansas City, Kansas – The Arkansas Advisory Committee will hold a public fact-finding meeting to receive information on and revisit whether or not there is a need for a state civil rights agency Wednesday and Thursday, September 12-13, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Presidential in Little Rock, Ark.
The Committee’s report revealed that the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 was not substantially equivalent with federal civil rights laws, rules and regulations and remain so today. Arkansas is one of only a few states without a comprehensive state civil rights agency to receive citizen complaints and safeguard individuals from discrimination.
The Committee will receive reports, suggestions and recommendations from local, state and federal agencies, elected officials, business leaders, legal experts, representatives of community and civil rights agencies knowledgeable about and interested in this matter.
Public Open Session
A summary report with findings and recommendations will be developed based on the information received. An open session from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. will be made available to the public for their comments.
Arkansas Advisory Committee
Dr. Gary M. McHenry of Fayetteville is Chairman of the Arkansas Advisory Committee. Other members of the Committee are Melissa Duke, Esq., Julie Greathouse, Esq., Dr.
Andre Guerrero, Dr. Rose Jones, Gregory Kaza, Ranko Shiraki Oliver, Esq., and Brian Vandiver, Esq. of Little Rock; Dr. Joseph Horton of Conway; Dr. Adam Arroyos, Dr. Robert Maranto and Dr. Gary Ritter of Fayetteville.
Contact:
Members of the public and interested organizations are invited to submit written statements for the record on the specific topic of the fact-finding meeting by sending them to: Farella E. Robinson, Regional Director, Central Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Gateway Tower II, 400 State Avenue, Suite 908, Kansas City, Kansas 66101.
Information provided via U.S. Commission on Civil Rights press release.
