 |
 |
Feds Name Drolet Civil Rights Chair Former Rep. Leon DROLET, the former face of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI), was appointed today the chair of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the part of the executive branch that advises the President and U.S. Congress on civil rights matters. Drolet, a Macomb County commissioner and head of Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, is best known statewide as a leader in the successful MCRI movement, which put into the Constitution that government can not extend any special preferences to citizens based on race and gender. It was billed at the time as the death knell for affirmative action. For that reason, the state's Department of Civil Rights (DCR) slammed the federal agency over the appointment, saying in a statement that it has "all but erased its credibility as a proponent for civil rights." Drolet, obviously, was elated. "I am honored to be appointed as chairman of the Michigan Committee," Drolet said. "Despite passage of Proposal 2, much work needs to be done ensuring that discrimination based on race or gender is eradicated, especially if that discrimination is enforced or conducted by governmental agencies. "I will work to make sure that the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Congress and the President recognize that civil rights are not programs and preferences, but are natural rights inherent to each and every person," he added. Drolet's appointment is effective June 11 and lasts for two years. Drolet will receive no compensation for his service as chair. The former Representative added that in his post, he would work on research on housing discrimination and religious discrimination. Drolet also would check local and state government compliance of MCRI, which voters passed in November. Kenneth MARCUS, staff director for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, said the eight-member commission made the appointment at a public meeting on June 1. He said the commission looks for a balanced panel with a diverse membership. Michigan's Advisory Committee features 11 members including Kari MOSS of the American Civil Liberties Union and former U.S. Senate candidate Jerry ZANDSTRA. The Department of Civil Rights (DCR), which opposed MCRI during the 2006 campaign, issued a statement expressing disappointment over the appointment. "In a state with such a rich history of civil rights and union activism, it is most disappointment that the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights chose a representative with such a shallow civil rights resume. By selecting a candidate with a one-issue civil rights platform at odds with every established civil rights organization, the U.S. Commission has all but erased its credibility as a proponent for civil rights."