Cummings Grills Coast Guard Commandant on Civil Rights

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, in response to the release of an independent review of the Coast Guard’s Office of Civil Rights and the Service’s civil rights programs. to Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. According to Cummings’ office, the report, prepared by Booz Allen Hamilton and commissioned by Admiral Allen, highlights several egregious examples of problems relating to civil rights within the Coast Guard. In his letter to Allen, Cummings says, among other things, “The Booz Allen Hamilton review appears to be thorough and rigorous. I note that a memorandum prepared by the Department of Homeland Security to transmit the report to the Coast Guard OCR concluded that the report is “comprehensive, well-prepared” and “clearly and thoroughly presents an analysis of the USCG civil rights program, provides supporting documentation, and sets forth specific action items to address identified areas for improvement.” It is clear that urgent corrective action is required in response to the reports findings; any delay could imperil the access of Coast Guard personnel to effective, efficient, and timely civil rights services.” The full report can be read by clicking HERE. Congressman Cummings has asked Admiral Allen to prepare detailed information on the steps the Coast Guard will take to remedy the deficiencies identified in the report, including dates by which specific actions will be taken and benchmarks that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the remedial actions. Additionally, a CGMT Subcommittee hearing will be convened in April to examine both the report and the specific steps being taken by the Coast Guard to correct the problems.