U.S. Commission on Civil Rights approves four interim state advisory committee members

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights voted on Sept. 19 to appoint four interim members to state advisory committees to replace vacancies and keep those panels functioning.

Chair Rochelle Garza moved to appoint Afia Wilkins for Oklahoma, Candy Johnson for Georgia, Bruce Taizhiran for Guam and Jaya Salua for American Samoa. The motion was seconded. Commissioners debated briefly about whether there had been adequate vetting and whether filling the vacancies honored prior bipartisanship agreements on balanced panels; a motion to table was offered and then withdrawn.

The commission conducted a roll‑call vote on the motion to appoint. The roll call recorded: Vice Chair Nurse — aye; Commissioner Adams — abstain; Commissioner Gilchrist — abstain; Commissioner Harriott — no; Commissioner Jones — aye; Commissioner Kirsanal — no; Commissioner McIntyre — yes; Chair Garza — yes. The motion passed by majority and the appointments were approved.

Chair Garza said the advisory committees ‘‘are instrumental in amplifying the voices of communities across the country’’ and expressed confidence the appointees would contribute meaningfully to state‑level civil‑rights work.

The appointees were recorded for the public record; commissioners said they expect the state advisory committees to continue work on issues at state and local levels.