WWW.USDOJ.GOV

BILL LANN LEE HAILS ADMINISTRATION'S REQUEST FOR

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Bill Lann Lee--the Administration's chief civil rights law enforcement officer-- hailed the Administration's request for more funding from Congress to enforce the nation's civil rights laws.

As part of its overall Fiscal Year 2001 budget request, the Administration is seeking an additional $16 million for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division -- a 19 percent increase over last year's budget of $82.2 million.

"These additional funds are critical for us to continue enforcing our nation's civil rights protections -- prosecuting hate crimes, preserving the rights of Americans with disabilities and fighting police misconduct," said Mr. Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

Protecting the Rights of Americans with Disabilities

This year marks the 10^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With a proposed increase of $2.4 million, the Civil Rights Division hopes to further implement the ADA by funding new initiatives, including an initiative to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from obtaining basic community services, such as calling 911, riding public transportation and attending a town meeting. Additional funding will also help begin a new initiative to train law enforcement officers on how to appropriately interact with persons with mental disabilities.

The Civil Rights Division will also expand its outreach efforts under a new initiative to educate small towns and businesses in rural areas, people with limited English skills and minority populations in urban areas about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA.

An additional $389,000 will help carry out the Administration's initiative to combat abuse and neglect in institutions, to protect the rights of nursing home residents and youth in juvenile detention and correctional facilities and to address the needs of individuals in correctional and health care facilities.

Preparing for Redistricting

A proposed increase of $1.8 million will ensure that the Civil Rights Division can properly review the numerous redistricting submissions and other voting changes that will follow the 2000 Census.

Fighting Crime

The budget request also includes $656,000 which will enhance efforts to investigate allegations of systemic misconduct by law enforcement agencies, while an additional $482,000 will enhance investigations into criminal civil rights violations, including police misconduct, hate crimes and abortion clinic violence.

Fighting for Fundamental Opportunities

An additional $2.8 million will, among other things, enhance efforts to fight immigration fraud and inform immigration communities of their rights under the law; address an anticipated increase in the number of employment discrimination cases as a result of streamlining operations at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; attack in-school segregation and insure that non-English speaking students have access to an effective educational experience; provide training to federal agencies and state and local governments concerning application of Title VI and Title IX; and increase our ability to handle civil rights appeals.

"This budget request clearly emphasizes our continuing commitment to ensure that opportunity is open to everyone in this country," added Mr. Lee.

###

00-059