Durbin Announces Witnesses For Hearing On State of Civil & Human Rights In The United States
Tuesday, December 9th at 2:30pm in the Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] –U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights , today announced witnesses for his upcoming hearing entitled, “The State of Civil and Human Rights in the United States.” The hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 9th, and will examine the status of key civil and human rights issues, including police-community relations, criminal justice reform, and voting rights.
Panel I
The Honorable Cory Booker
United States Senator
State of New Jersey
The Honorable Luis Gutiérrez
United States Representative
State of Illinois, 4th District
The Honorable Keith Ellison
United States Representative
State of Minnesota, 5th District
Panel II
Dr. Cedric Alexander
President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
Public Safety Director, DeKalb County
DeKalb County, GA
Wade Henderson
President and CEO
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Washington, DC
Laura W. Murphy
Director, Washington Legislative Office
American Civil Liberties Union
Washington, DC
WHAT: Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights hearing on “The State of Civil and Human Rights in the United States”
WHEN: Tuesday, December 9th, 2014 at 2:30pm
WHERE: Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216
Washington, DC 20510
Following enactment of legislation like the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, bipartisan initiatives to protect civil and human rights have continued, including ongoing efforts to reform federal sentencing and restore federal voting rights for ex-offenders. Nonetheless, significant roadblocks remain. This year’s events in Ferguson, Missouri have highlighted the continued need to reevaluate and reform police practices, including the militarization of state and local law enforcement. Racial disparities persist at many stages of the criminal justice system. Many states have enacted voting laws making it harder for minority and other voters to cast their ballots. This hearing will explore how Congress and the Executive Branch can build on recent successes and address ongoing civil and human rights challenges.
Durbin is Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over all constitutional issues, and all legislation and policy related to civil rights, civil liberties and human rights. The Ranking Member of the Subcommittee is Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).