Patterson Backs Executive Order on Anti-Discrimination Policies
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
April 5, 2000
Mayor Anthony Williams
441 4th Street, N.W.
Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Mayor Williams:
During budget testimony before the Committee on Government Operations last month, representatives of the Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA) discussed their recommendation that you issue an executive order that outlines the anti-discrimination provisions of the D.C. Human Rights Act and sets out agency responsibilities to publicize and enforce the law. GLAA representatives made this recommendation in a March 17, 2000 letter to you.
I understand that this proposal is currently under review by your staff, and would like to voice my support for such an executive order. GLAA has documented numerous examples of agencies failing to incorporate the full range of anti-discrimination policies in their employment guidelines, regulations, and other official documents. In addition, there are many new senior executives in the government who would benefit from an executive order describing their responsibilities to implement the Human Rights Act. The District's Human Rights Act is much broader than the civil rights laws of the federal government and many other jurisdictions, so an executive order that describes the protected classes and the actions that agencies must take to prevent discrimination would provide useful guidance, as well as a strong statement of the administration's commitment to the law.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kathy Patterson
Chairperson
Committee on Government Operations
cc: Charles Holman, OHR