Thursday August 3 5:22 PM ET
Clinton Snubs Republicans on Civil Rights Post
By Randall Mikkelsen
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Clinton on Thursday appointed
Bill Lann Lee as the top U.S. civil rights law enforcer,
bypassing opponents in the Senate and belittling Republicans'
efforts to cast themselves as racially tolerant.
The so-called recess appointment of Lee as assistant attorney
general for civil rights, made while Congress is on its summer
break, effectively allows Lee to serve through the remainder of
Clinton's term despite the Republican-controlled Senate's failure
to confirm him as the nominee to the post.
Lee, an Asian-American and former top lawyer for the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), had
served in the post in an acting capacity for 2 1/2 years.
The move revives the Clinton administration's clash with
Republicans over racial issues at a time when the Republican
party has been seeking to present an image of racial tolerance
and inclusiveness at its party convention this week in
Philadelphia.
``The Republican party's blocking of Bill Lann Lee stands in
sharp contrast to the theatrical performance in Philadelphia,
designed to obscure (a record of) no commitment to civil rights
enforcement,'' White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said.
Clinton nominated Lee to the civil rights post in 1997.
But Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee
effectively blocked the nomination out of opposition to Lee's
record on issues such as affirmative action and school
desegregation.
Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (news - web
sites), a Utah Republican, said in a written statement that he
liked Lee ``on a personal level'' but he objected to the
appointment Thursday.
``It is unfortunate that the president has chosen to ignore the
historically bipartisan opposition to the recess appointment of a
nominee who, as in the case of Bill Lann Lee, has been unable to
garner the support of the (Judiciary committee).'' Critics say
Lee has favored quota-style affirmative action programs in his
post and has sought to break down protections against reverse
discrimination.
Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the ranking Democrat on the
committee, called Lee ``superbly qualified'' and blasted
Republicans for refusing to allow a vote.
``The kinder, gentler Republican mood is either a myth, or maybe
that memo never made it to the Republican Senate. The way they
have treated Bill Lann Lee has been petty and steeped in partisan
vinegar. It has been a direct insult to him and to all who care
about civil rights enforcement,'' Leahy said.
Clinton named Lee as acting assistant attorney general for civil
rights in December 1997. The move did not require confirmation
and allowed Lee to serve until late this year, but Clinton
continued to press for his confirmation. He twice has renominated
Lee to the post.
``Mr. Lee has spent over 25 years seeking equal opportunity for
all people and working against discrimination in all forms,
including employment, housing, voting and education,'' the White
House said.
Since he assumed his job, Lee has worked to reform the Los
Angeles police department, led a racial discrimination lawsuit
against the Adams Mark hotel chain that resulted in an $8 million
settlement, prosecuted hate crimes and sought to increase access
for disabled people.
Attorney General Janet Reno praised Lee for resolving many of his
cases out of court. ``Throughout his career, Bill Lann Lee has
worked to advance civil rights through both enforcement and
conciliation ... Bill excels at bringing people together even on
the most contentious issues,'' she said.
Clinton on Thursday also made 12 other recess appointments,
including two other assistant attorney general posts, and three
ambassadorships.
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