U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

2001 PRESS RELEASES, ADVISORIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE HOLDS FORUM: EQUAL ACCESS TO FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, March 15, 2001 at 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., the District of Columbia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a forum on equal access to financial opportunities in the District of Columbia at the Commission's 5th floor Conference Room, 624 9th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.

In recent years, despite claims of increased lending to minorities in the metropolitan area, advocates have questioned whether minorities and other underserved groups have equal access to credit. News accounts of the rapid rise in subprime lending and allegations of predatory lending practices highlight the need for renewed interest in the topic of equal access to financial opportunities. To explore these issues, the forum will feature discussion on:

Confirmed panelists and organizations include:

In addition to gathering information on adverse lending practices, the forum will foster an open discussion of strategies to remedy alleged discrimination in financial service delivery and credit extension and ways to enhance access to credit opportunity on equal terms. A detailed agenda can be obtained from Marc Pentino, 202-376-7533. Information collected will be used to advise Federal, state, and local officials. The meeting is open to the public and the site is accessible for persons with disabilities. The deadline for hearing-impaired persons to request the service of a sign language interpreter has past. However, persons needing this service should contact Marc Pentino by March 12, 2001 and every effort will be made to accommodate your request.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan, factfinding agency of the Federal government. Its members, appointed by the President and the Congress, are Chairperson Mary Frances Berry, Vice Chairperson Cruz Reynoso, and Commissioners Christopher Edley, Jr., Yvonne Y. Lee, Elsie M. Meeks, Russell G. Redenbaugh, Abigail Thernstrom, and Victoria Wilson. Les Jin is Staff Director. Ki-Taek Chun is director of the Eastern Regional Office.

The Commission has established Advisory Committees in all states and the District of Columbia to assist in its factfinding function. The statutory mandate of these 51 committees is to receive reports, suggestions and recommendations from individuals, public and private organizations and public officials, and forward advice and recommendations to the Commission. Members serve without compensation. Rev. Lewis M. Anthony is chairperson of the District of Columbia Advisory Committee. Other members are Eva P. Britt, Cynthia Graae, Ann F. Heuer, David L. Kim, Stephen Kurzman, Winona Lake, Donnie A. McKethan, Steven Sims, Ernest Skinner, and John C. Topping, Jr.

03/08/01