U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Appoints Indiana State Advisory Committee Members

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Jan 16, 2015, 02:55 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has announced the appointment of 18 Indiana citizens to its Indiana Advisory Committee.

The Commission appointed:

B. Diane Clements Boyd of Evansville (Chair)
Teri L. Cardwell of Indianapolis
Elizabeth K. Cierzniak of Indianapolis
Tammi Davis of Gary
Robert L. Dion of Evansville
Morella C, Dominguez of Indianapolis
Christopher H. Douglas of Indianapolis
Richard W. Garnett of South Bend
James M. Haigh of South Bend
Robert H. Heidt of Bloomington
Leslie D. Hiner of Indianapolis
Tony A. Kirkland of Evansville
Billy G. McGill, Jr. of Fort Wayne
Patti O'Callaghan of Indianapolis
Ernesto R. Palomo of Chesterton
Carlton M. Waterhouse of Indianapolis
Ellen D. Wu of Bloomington
Catherine H. Zuckert of South Bend

"Indiana has played an important role in the civil rights movement by using its bill of rights to defend personal liberty," Commission Staff Director Marlene Sallo said. "I trust that the newly appointed members will contribute to the role that Indiana has played in the civil rights movement."

State advisory committee members conduct reviews and produce reports and recommendations concerning local civil rights issues, including justice, voting, discrimination, housing and education. Congress mandates that the federal Commission appoint volunteer members to advisory committees in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Appointees to the federal State Advisory Committees serve two-year terms.

Advisory Committee Chair B. Diane Clements Boyd said, "The Indiana State Advisory Committee will take seriously the mission to protect the spirit of civil rights and civil rights enforcement in our state. The committee will look at policies and practices statewide in an effort to eradicate discrimination, advance rights and identify solutions to civil rights issues on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin."

The committee will meet for the first time in March of 2015 to determine its plans and priorities.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights matters, studying civil rights issues, and issuing a federal civil rights enforcement report. For information about Commission's reports and meetings, visit http://www.usccr.gov.

Media contact: David Mussatt
Director, Regional Programs Unit
(312) 353-8311

SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights