Washington, DC - Despite steady erosions in spending power resulting in considerable staffing shortages, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has achieved significant management improvements in recent years.
In a report released today, the General Accounting Office (GAO) found that the Commission has made a number of management improvements, including establishing policies that clarify the roles of senior management, preparing more detailed budget information for better fiscal administration, and instituting various project management procedures to meet target deadlines, since the GAO's last report in 1997. It is notable that the GAO found no signs of fraud or abuse.
Commission Staff Director Les Jin noted, "The Commission has striven to ensure that it operates smoothly, efficiently, and appropriately. We welcome the GAO's review and will take its recommendations seriously. While there is always room to improve further, we are glad the report recognizes some of our accomplishments."
GAO also observed that in 1997 the Commission had 91 staff employees-a figure that has declined to approximately 70 in the current report. Staff Director Jin commented that "while almost ten years of declining spending power inevitably takes its toll on every aspect of an agency's functions, the Commission's operations are fundamentally sound, and we are proud of the quality and quantity of work the Commission has been able to produce under such demanding circumstances."
Jin continued, "When we travel around the country to hear first-hand about civil rights concerns, and when our reports are reviewed by other civil rights advocates, the Commission is proud to hear praise for our work. Our goal has always been, and will always be, to ensure that the United States government protects the civil rights of all Americans and people living within the U.S."
11/06/03