The NAACP announced today, unwavering support for the
proposed increase in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Anti-Employment
Discrimination Funding.   House Resolution 2847 has passed, and the Senate
is expected to consider funding later.

The NAACP is urging the Senate to pass the EEOC enforcement funding
increase.  For far too long there has been employment discrimination going
on throughout the country with too little too late responses from the EEOC.
 

The U.S needs this commission to continue to serve as the watchdog, and
more importantly to bring justice to over one hundred thousand charges
brought before the EEOC, stated Hilary O. Shelton, Director NAACP
Washington Bureau/Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has jurisdiction over
employment discrimination issues within the Federal government, private
employers, state and local agencies, employment services and labor
organizations.  As such, the EEOC plays a vital role in our Nation?s
on-going struggle against employment discrimination.

Over the past few years, the EEOC has been woefully underfunded; one
result has been an ever-increasing backlog of cases that need to be
addressed and this increase is the first step in that direction.  Even in
the 21st century justice delayed is still justice denied, added Shelton.

Currently, it is projected that the backlog is on pace to reach 102,944
charges by the end of fiscal year 2010. This is nearly double the size of
the backlog as it existed less than three years ago.  The backlog is
unacceptable and needs to be addressed and resolved.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights
organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the
premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter
mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private
sectors.