Federal Legislation
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Created the Commission on Civil Rights and empowered it to investigate allegations of deprivation of a U.S. citizen’s right to vote and to appraise laws and policies of the federal government with respect to equal protection of the law and to submit a report to the President and to the Congress within two years.
Civil Rights Act of 1960
Provided for criminal penalties in the event a person crossed state lines to avoid legal process for the actual or attempted bombing or burning of any vehicle or building and provided penalties for persons who obstructed or interfered with any order of a federal court.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibited discrimination in the use of public accommodations whose operations involve interstate commerce and provided enforcement remedies to ensure equal access to public facilities. Also prohibited racial discrimination in any program receiving federal aid and prohibited discrimination in most areas of employment.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Struck down restrictions such as literacy and knowledge tests and poll tax payments which had been used to restrict black participation in voting, and provided for federal registrars to register voters should state registrars refuse to do so. It further provided that registered voters not be prohibited from voting.
Civil Rights Act of 1968
Provided for open housing by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin.
Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968
Provided for equal employment opportunities for lower income persons by requiring that minimum number of minorities be hired to work on housing projects funded by the federal government and provided for housing for lower income families.
Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972Provided the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (which was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964) with authority to issue judicially enforceable cease and desist orders in cases involving discriminatory employment practices.
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA)
Provided federal funding to employ and train unskilled minority workers in various federally assisted programs.
Public Works Employment Act of 1977
Provided that 10% of funds expended as a result of federal grants be earmarked for and paid to minority business enterprises (so-call set-asides).
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978(Humphrey-Hawkins Bill)Asserted the responsibility of the federal government to promote full employment, production, and real income; and required the President to set forth explicit short- and medium-term economic goals each year.