Opinion ID: 381246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: prohibition against government support for segregation

Text: 26 More problematic is appellants' charge that the amendments interfere with the government's obligation not to support segregated schools. 83 The Constitution's prohibition against governmental support of schools practicing invidious discrimination is too obvious and well-established to require elaboration here. 84 Distinct from its duty to enforce the law, the Executive must not itself participate in unlawful discrimination. This prohibition is embodied in Title VI and in numerous subsequent statutory schemes. 85 To avoid the cloud of constitutional doubt, we must assume that Congress did not intend the amendments to force federal financial support of illegal discrimination. 86 27 Thus, the amendments cannot be read to prevent HEW from fulfilling its obligation to assure no federal moneys support segregated schools. HEW has an obligation, as a government agency, not to participate in unlawful discrimination. 87 In particular instances, HEW may be required to 1) refer a case to the Department of Justice for appropriate action; 88 2) terminate funds through HEW's administrative procedures; 89 or 3) alert the President that a case may require Executive impoundment of funds. 90 Appellants and other private individuals certainly are not barred from challenging HEW's failure to take any such steps. 28 The record in this case raises the issue of whether the amendments in fact permit HEW to discharge its obligation to assure that no funds are used by districts it has found out of compliance. At the time of the most recent affidavit submitted in this case, HEW was merely planning to or thinking about referring cases to the Department of Justice for enforcement. 91 See Appendices A & B. Thus, from the record, we have no evidence that HEW has taken steps to avoid participation in unlawful segregation. We agree, however, with the district court that the record does not establish sufficient factual evidence to permit a review of the amendments as applied. 92 Therefore, we affirm the district court's judgment that the amendments survive facial challenge. We assume that the district court retained jurisdiction to entertain further motions challenging HEW's actions under the amendments 93 and we affirm. 29 Affirmed. 30 APPENDIX A Cases settled or dismissed Status as of Feb. 28, although violation found; 1978  HEW precluded from requiring transportation.  Springfield, Ohio Voluntary steps taken, yet sufficient doubt as to the adequacy of these remedies remains to justify our giving these districts further consideration for possible referral Joliet, Illinois Same Fresno, California Same Ann Arundel, Maryland Same Frederick County, Same Maryland Gulfport, Mississippi Preliminary determination: it should be prepared for referral Madison County, Georgia OCR to determine if referral is appropriate Jones County, Missouri Schools substantially racially balanced -------------  Based on Deposition of David Tatel, July 28, 1977, J.A. at 19; Affidavit of David Tatel, July 31, 1977, J.A. at 36-37.  Based on Affidavit of Cynthia Brown, Feb. 28, 1978, J.A. at 40. 31 APPENDIX B Pending or active cases Status as of Feb. 28, where HEW found 14th 1978  amendment violation but amendments preclude HEW from requiring only effective remedy, transportation beyond nearest school  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lima, Ohio ALJ found violation; in prepartion for referral Flint, Michigan Same Marion County, Florida Same Marshall, Texas Same Kansas City, Missouri ALJ found violation; HEW accepted negotiated plan Maywood, Illinois Preliminary determination: it should be prepared for referral Saginaw, Michigan Adverse finding by ALJ Baltimore City, Maryland Litigation in court Vance County, North Settled on the basis that Carolina the student assignment meets constitutional requirements --------------  Based on Deposition of David Tatel, July 28, 1977, J.A. at 19; Affidavit of David Tatel, July 31, 1977, J.A. at 36-37. Base on Affidavit of Cynthia Brown, Feb. 28, 1978, J.A. at 39-40.