Cummings to hold hearing on Coast Guard civil rights problems

The following is the text of a announcement issued by U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md.:

 

(WASHINGTON) — Tomorrow, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, will convene a hearing to examine civil rights services and diversity initiatives within the Coast Guard and to consider the findings of a February 2009 review of the Coast Guard’s Office of Civil Rights by Booz Allen Hamilton.

The Booz Allen Hamilton report is critical of the Service’s civil rights program, citing the lack of an effective analysis to identify and eliminate barriers to equal employment, a lack of metrics to define success in response to Equal Opportunity reviews, and a complaint management process implemented by inadequately trained personnel that does not appear to be in full compliance with regulatory requirements. Additionally, the Booz Allen Hamilton team found confidential employee information left unattended and unlocked, as well as improperly disclosed on blog sites.

The Booz Allen Hamilton report is the most recent in nearly a decade of analyses citing deficiencies in the Coast Guard’s civil rights programs—including self-assessments by the Coast Guard.

WHO: Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman

Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation

WHAT: Hearing to Examine Civil Rights Services and Diversity Initiatives in the U.S. Coast Guard

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 2pm

WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2167

Independence Ave. at S. Capitol St., SW

Washington, D.C.

Live webcast of the hearing will be available at http://transportation.house.gov/

WITNESSES: Ms. Terri Dickerson

Director, Office of Civil Rights

U.S. Coast Guard

Rear Admiral Jody Breckenridge

Assistant Commandant for Human Resources

U.S. Coast Guard

By Professional Mariner Staff