United States Commission on Civil Rights

American commission

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July 19, 2026

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The United States Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan commission established by the U.S. Congress. Its primary mission is to investigate and report on issues related to civil rights in the United States. The commission studies and collects information on discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, and national origin. It then makes recommendations to the President and Congress for legislative and administrative actions to address these issues.1

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation, aimed to end discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. This act empowered federal agencies to combat racial discrimination in employment, voting, and public accommodations. The Civil Rights Congress, a separate organization founded in 1946, also worked to defend civil liberties and fight discrimination, particularly for African Americans facing police brutality and injustice.234

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Mary Frances Berry
…was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1980–2004), serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Berry was also an outspoken advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment and critic of the South African government’s apartheid practices.
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…was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1980–2004), serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Berry was also an outspoken advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment and critic of the South African government’s apartheid practices.
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Clarence M. Pendleton
…position of chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Pendleton aroused controversy with his conservative opinions, including his disdain for affirmative action, his opposition to desegregation through busing, and his rejection of the concept of comparable worth, requiring employers to pay employees an equal salary for different jobs judged,…
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…position of chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Pendleton aroused controversy with his conservative opinions, including his disdain for affirmative action, his opposition to desegregation through busing, and his rejection of the concept of comparable worth, requiring employers to pay employees an equal salary for different jobs judged,…
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