**Letter of Transmittal**

Arkansas AdvisoryCommittee tothe U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

**Membersof the Commission**Mary Frances Berry, *Chairperson*Cruz Reynoso, *Vice Chairperson*Christopher F. Edley, Jr.Yvonne Y. LeeElsie M. MeeksRussell G. RedenbaughAbigail ThernstromVictoria Wilson

Les Jin, *StaffDirector*

The Arkansas AdvisoryCommittee submits this report, *Who IsEnforcing Civil Rights in Arkansas: Is There a Need for a State Civil RightsAgency?* As part of its responsibility to advise the Commission on civilrights issues in Arkansas, the Advisory Committee on September 23�24, 1998,held a fact-finding meeting to obtain information regarding the need for a statecivil rights enforcement agency. The Committee heard from more than 27 personsrepresenting federal, state, and local governments, civil rights groups,community and religious organizations, and concerned citizens.

During the course of theAdvisory Committee�s background investigation and fact-finding meeting, itbecame clear that there is a need for a state civil rights enforcement agency todeal with discrimination complaints. Although the state has a civil rights law(Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993), it is not substantially equivalent toapplicable federal civil rights laws, rules, and regulations.

Based on informationpresented, the Advisory Committee believes that it is urgent the StateLegislature of Arkansas amend the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 to make itsubstantially equivalent to federal laws. In doing so, the act should also beamended to establish a human rights agency to address civil rights disputes andissues within the state. A state human rights agency may bring many benefitssuch as faster case processing; an opportunity for education and training incivil rights; and a vehicle for effective and efficient administration of civilrights laws.

The Advisory Committeefurther found that although representatives of the business community say thereis a sizable group of skilled and aggressive civil rights attorneys in thestate, this remains to be seen. The Committee found that many persons in thestate are often unaware of who to contact or where to file discriminationcomplaints.

The Advisory Committeerecommends that the Arkansas Bar Association and other legal institutionsdevelop a list of attorneys who specialize in or will accept civil rights cases.This list should be distributed to relevant community and civil rightsorganizations as well as the general public. The Central Regional Office hasdeveloped a �Where to Turn Guide for Civil Rights Assistance,� which mayalso be distributed and used by the general public.

The Advisory Committeenotes that most persons interviewed for this report did not know that there arestate civil rights protections. The Committee recommends that concerted effortsbe made statewide to establish meaningful coalitions to address civil rights andrace relations. A strong liaison with a wide range of community organizationssuch as the local chambers of commerce, churches, civic organizations, and civilrights groups must be initiated.

Finally, there appears tobe a lack of coordinated leadership efforts at all levels with respect to civilrights and race relations in Arkansas. The Advisory Committee urges the governorto take the lead in establishing constructive dialogue on race relations andcivil rights in the state. Clearly, with the surge of Hispanic and Asianpopulations in Arkansas, the state will have to become proactive on civil andhuman rights to address the needs and interests of its diverse citizenry. Thisshould include a statement on the governor�s vision for reducingdiscrimination and building bridges of understanding among different groups.

The Advisory Committeeurges the Commission to assist it in follow-up activities to the report.

Respectfully,

Katherine P. Mitchell, *Chairperson*Arkansas Advisory Committee