Annual Report 2001
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2001 Annual Report EnsuringEnsuring EqualityEquality InIn KentuckyKentucky TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCRIMINATION IS AGAINST THE LAW..........................................................................................................2 COMMITMENT IN ACTION = SUCCESS..........................................................................................................3 ENSURING EQUALITY THROUGH CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT......................................................................................................4 THROUGH CIVIL RIGHTS EDUCATION...........................................................................................................8 THROUGH CIVIL RIGHTS PARTNERSHIP.......................................................................................................9 THROUGH CIVIL RIGHTS PROMOTION .......................................................................................................10 THROUGH UNITY 2001 Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Commissioners.........................................................12 Kentucky Commission on Human Rights 2001 Staff..........................................................................13 Kentucky Revised Statute 344.020 Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Kentucky Commission on Human 332 W. Broadway Rights Mandate Suite 700 Louisville, Kentucky 40202 To safeguard all individuals within the state 502.595.4024 from discrimination because of familial status, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age 800.292.5566 40 and over, or because of the person's status [email protected] as a qualified individual with a disability as www.state.ky.us/agencies2/kchr defined in KRS 344.010 and KRS 344.030; thereby to protect their interest in personal dig- nity and freedom from humiliation, to make available to the state their full productive capacities, to secure the state against domes- tic strife and unrest which would menace its democratic institutions, to preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare, and to fur- ther the interest, rights, and privileges of indi- viduals within the state. To Our Governor, Allies and Friends We are pleased to present the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights annual report for the fiscal year of 2001, which covers the period of July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. The theme of this year’s report – Ensuring Equality In Kentucky – embodies our mission and our task as we carry out the day- to-day business of this state agency. The Commission has been charged to eradicate discrimination in Kentucky through civil rights enforcement, education, partnerships and promotion. The proud history of our agency was complemented by the events of this year. For four decades, KCHR has opened the doors of opportunity for thousands of people by enforcing and highlighting the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. The 40-year anniversary celebration was the culmination of much work and dedication on the part of the commissioners, staff and the advising committee led by Governor Paul E. Patton. It was an honor to establish the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame, a tool that will work to educate and to promote the mandate of equality to people in Kentucky for all time. The Commission will con- tinue to induct new Hall of Fame members whose valiant strides have made Kentucky a pioneer in civil rights. Through commitment and dedication, we will continue to have a strong hand in the war against dis- crimination. With our determination and the diligence of our allies, step by step, the victory against big- otry and prejudice of every kind will be ours. We appreciate your leadership and support, and look forward to working with all of you in continuing to ensure equality in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. Priscilla Johnson Beverly Watts Chair Executive Director EENSURINGNSURING EEQUALITYQUALITY Discrimination is against the law he Kentucky because of: Commission on T Human Rights Race (KCHR) is the branch of Sex state government created to Age 40 and over ensure equality in Kentucky. Disability The Commission's pri- Color mary purpose is to act as Religion the guardian of peoples' National Origin civil rights by enforcing the Familial Status “Injustice Kentucky Civil Rights Act. anywhere is a Retaliation Another responsibility of threat to justice People in Kentucky are KCHR is to ensure that protected from these types everywhere.” people in Kentucky are of discrimination in the fol- Martin Luther King, Jr. aware of their equal rights lowing environments: under the law. KCHR works diligently Employment through education, partner- Public ships and the promotion of Accommodations civil rights to accomplish Financial this important goal. Transactions Housing With headquarters in Louisville and the Northern The Commission body Kentucky office in rules on complaints, deter- Covington, KCHR investi- mines damages and gates and litigates com- enforces the Civil Rights Act plaints of unlawful discrimi- with all the authority of a nation. court of law. The Kentucky Civil Rights Act makes it illegal to dis- criminate against anyone 2 Commitment In Action = Success “Since 1960, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has been a leader and a powerful advocate for tolerance, justice and civil rights. You have long recognized that we must always remain vigilant to the forces of ignorance and prejudice that would seek to use our differences to divide us. I commend you for your efforts to advance the ideals of unity and justice in our country.” Letter from President Bill Clinton, June 29, 2000 was marked KCHR premiered the The Commission will induct 2001by the cele- historic public awareness new members at public bration of achievements by and education project – events on a periodic basis. the Kentucky Commission The Kentucky Civil Rights on Human Rights. Hall of Fame. This special KCHR unveiled the On July 18, 2000, we recognition will serve as an Kentucky Civil Rights Hall commemorated our 40th ongoing monument to brave of Fame sculpture by anniversary with a public men and women from the artist Garry Bibb. The outreach gala at the past and present who have giant steel, bridge-shaped Louisville Gardens. Over led Kentucky in the struggle work displays photographs 600 people attended. for equality and justice in of the inductees, and acts Designed to raise aware- many civil rights arenas. It as a beacon for the promo- ness of civil and human is the first and only such tion of civil rights in the rights, the occasion high- medium in the state. Commonwealth. lighted the contributions of Twenty-two inaugural KCHR, the first state KCHR premiered its agency in the south to have new 10-minute documen- enforcement powers over tary of the civil rights civil rights violations. movement in Kentucky The event garnered televi- 4040 and the historical sion, radio and newspaper progress of the agency. coverage in Louisville, inductees were announced The video features Lexington and throughout at a special ceremony – the Governor Edward Breathitt the state as officials talked highlight of the anniversary who signed the Kentucky about Kentucky civil and festivities. Citizens through- Civil Rights Act; Galen human rights progress in out Kentucky nominated 80 Martin, the first executive the last 40 years. The cele- civil and human rights lead- director of KCHR; and bration was video-streamed ers. Senator Georgia Powers live via the Internet and was who originated Kentucky broadcast on the civil rights legisla- Insight Cable tion. The history Community of KCHR and Access Kentucky civil Channel. rights is told through their stories. Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame Sculpture created by artist Garry Bibb 3 EENSURINGNSURING EEQUALITYQUALITY CHR administers ber of discrimination cases on average, for KCHR to the Kentucky Civil processed has almost dou- close a case. The average K Rights Act and bled in the last 10 years. employment case age was ensures that the principles Case closures have more 248 days, and the average of equal opportunity are fol- than tripled. public accommodations lowed in the case age was 148 days. Commonwealth. This year, staff processed Housing cases actually 5,000 intakes. Enforcement dropped in average age Our responsibility is to and litigation staff from an already low 125 safeguard all individuals processed 629 cases, clos- days in 2000, to 119 days within the state from dis- ing 310. KCHR negotiated in 2001. crimination because of $115,000 in conciliations for familial status, race, color, Kentucky complainants, The agency maintains a religion, national origin, sex, and reached $25,003 in successful federal govern- age 40 and over, or settlements. Probable ment affiliation through part- because of the person’s cause cases resulted in nerships with the U.S. status as a qualified individ- awards of $20,000. Equal Opportunity ual with a disability. Commission (EEOC) and We are proud of our the U.S. Department of KCHR aggressively excellent process structure. Housing and Urban enforces the law. The num- It takes less than one year, Development (HUD). 700 600 “The mind of a bigot 500 is like 400 1991 the pupil of 2001 the eye; 300 the more light 200 you pour on 100 it, the more it will contract.” 0 Oliver Wendell Holmes PC issued Cases closedConciliations Dismissed/NPC Cases processedComplaints filed Withdrawals w/S 4 THROUGH CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT Why Complaints Filed (Basis) Basis No. Percentage Retaliation Race 130 46.3% Fam. Status Sex 41 14.6% Disability 30 10.7% Nat. Origin Race Retaliation 28 10.0% Age 22 7.8% Disability Familial