Washington, D.C. — Today, the White House announced that President Barack Obama is appointing Catherine Lhamon and Debo Adegbile as commissioners for six-year terms on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Carmel Martin, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement in response to the news:
CAP applauds the nomination of two giants of the civil rights community—Catherine Lhamon and Debo Adegbile—to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. At a time when the rights of every American and vulnerable community in the United States could be threatened, it is imperative that individuals with a long and proven history of commitment to the advancement civil rights sit on this important commission. From Lhamon’s extensive success in issues pertaining to higher education, women’s rights, and LGBT rights to Adegbile’s work on employment, housing discrimination, criminal justice, and voting rights, their experience and passion will be crucial in meeting the fights that await the country as we continue to work on improving the lives of all Americans and protecting the Obama administration’s civil rights victories of the past eight years.
For more information or to speak to an expert on this topic, please contact Tanya Arditi at [email protected] or 202.741.6258.