LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE EQUAL AMENDING TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Stock Number 5270-01629 COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, JR., New Jersey, Chairman JENNINGS RANDOLPH, West Virginia ADLAI E. STEVENSON III, Illinois JACOB K. JAVITS, New York J. GLENN BEALL, JR., Maryland STEWART E. MCCLURE, Staff Director SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, JR., New Jersey, Chairman FOREWORD The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 marked the culmination of a 30-year effort to provide the Federal Government with the authority needed to bring an end to employment discrimination in our society. The first step in this effort was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII of that act created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which was charged with ending unlawful employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. However, under title VII the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was made a conciliation agency with enforcement of employment discrimination cases given on a limited basis to the Department of Justice or left to private individuals. The experience of 7 years under title VII reflected its serious defect in the lack of enforcement authority. For more than 6 years efforts were made in the Congress to give EEOC the needed enforcement powers. In each succeeding Congress after 1964 bills were introduced but in the face of strong opposition there was never successful enactment. The passage of this act in this Congress will give new hope to millions of Americans who have been the victims of discrimination. Passage came only after a long struggle involving extended debate in the Senate for several months. The bill that was finally enacted represents in some respects a compromise from the original proposals. However the final product provides the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Civil Service Commission with respect to Federal employees, the tools needed to implement an effective enforcement program to secure equal employment opportunity for all our citizens. Enforcement of this law will undoubtedly raise many questions regarding the congressional intent behind its various provisions. To aid those who will be responsible for such enforcement, and the public to which the law's requirements and protection will apply, I have asked the committee staff to compile this legislative history, with the assistance of Mr. George Sape of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This compilation will be of considerable benefit also to the Congress and, particularly, to the members of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, in their continuing legislative review of this act's administration. HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, Jr., Chairman. (III) |