2002
PRESS RELEASES,
ADVISORIES AND PUBLIC
AFFAIRS
US
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS INTERVENES IN LAWSUIT TO DEFEND STATUTE, AGENCY'S
INDEPENDENCE
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has filed a Motion to
Intervene in the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against Victoria
Wilson, a member of the Commission. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1975(c) (1994) (Pub. L.
No. 103-419, 108 Stat. 4338), all Commissioners serve six-year terms. Ms. Wilson
has yet to finish her six-year term, which will expire January 2006.
The Commission has entered into an agreement with the law
firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to advise and otherwise
represent the Commission on this matter. The law firm is not working without
charging, which would violate the Commission’s statute. The Commission is
obligated to pay the law firm, and the agreement is in accordance with
government rules and regulations.
The Commission is an independent agency with statutorily
mandated oversight responsibilities. These responsibilities include monitoring
departments and agencies in the executive branch, including the Department of
Justice. This watchdog function is exercised no matter who is elected President.
The Department of Justice is a party to this lawsuit in opposition to the
Commission's position on the length of Commissioners' terms. Additionally, the
Department of Justice's views on this matter had been known well before it filed
suit. Under those circumstances, the Commission concluded that it was necessary,
appropriate and legal to enter into an agreement with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind,
Wharton & Garrison to ensure that the Commission's views on this matter are
fully articulated and its interest adequately protected. This agreement was
necessary to preserve the Commission's independence, integrity and public
confidence in its ability to fulfill its legislatively mandated duties, which
include acting as a watchdog over the enforcement of civil rights.
01/04/02