Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
472516249
label
Nation of Islam
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
472516249
contentType
document
title
Nation of Islam
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Clinton Administration)
Jennifer O'Connor's Subject Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
472516249
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
2800759-20240267S-029-017-2024
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
616f7dec15770012
ocrText
THE ASSEMBLY
Fish
STATE OF NEW YORK
ALBANY
March Womety 22, 1995
april 26
President Bill Clinton
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Clinton:
We are writing to express our serious concern about Housing
Secretary Henry Cisneros' decision to support government funding of
security contracts with affiliates of Louis Farrakhan's Nation of
Islam. These security affiliates have engaged in proselytizing,
handed out racist and anti-Semitic literature and sold religious
items at housing projects while being paid by federal taxpayer
dollars. We do not believe that government funds should be used to
help promote the racism and anti-Semitism advocated by Louis
Farrakhan.
We were also extremely disturbed by Secretary Cisneros' recent
testimony before Congress during which he compared the Nation of
Islam, with an avowedly racist agenda, to the Salvation Army and
B'nai B'rith. At a time when many of us are waiting for the
Administration to position itself to fight for the noble, original
principles behind the civil rights movement, Secretary Cisneros has
decided to defend Nation of Islam Security which will not hire
whites, Jews, Latinos, women-anyone other than male members of the
Nation of Islam.
We urge you to reconsider your Administration's support for
government funding that has become the financial base of the Nation
of Islam. As elected Democrats and members of the New York State
Legislature, we support New York's decision to prevent state funds
from being used by security companies to promote the Nation of
Islam agenda. We hope you will ensure that the federal government
does the same.
Sincerely,
ASSEMBI J. DINOWITZ
Juleo ASSEMBLYMEMBER Polonetoky
JULES POLONETSKY
ASSEMBLYMEMBER FOR Brean J. BRENNAN
Eleen ASSEMBLYMEMBER C. E. Dayne DUGAN
SENATOR F LEICHTER Leichler
SENATOR
C.
KRUGER
ASSEMBLYMEMBER E. CONNELLY
ASSEMBLYMEMBER nittie Mayerwhy MAYERSOHN
DM
ASSEMBLYMEMBER S. COLMAN
ASSEMBLYMEMBER D. FELDMAN
Vands Sidela
Milfula Kab
ASSEMBLYMEMBER D. SIDIKMAN
ASSEMBLIMEMBER M. KATZ
audrey SPheffer
ASSEMBLYMEMBER AUDREY PHEFFER
Mad YMEMBER We M WEPRIN
ASSEMBL
Stegher B. Kaufman
ASSEMBLYMEMBER J2 MA $ KAUFMAN
ASSEMBLYMEMBER P. ABBATE
ASSEMBLYMEMBER Jank KMy S GALEF
Stron ASSEMBLYMEMBER ASSEMBLYMEMBER Mi Mary Jan Do B. MCLAUGHLIN HIKIND
Coopu R Wentol
ASSEMBLYMEMBER J. DENTOL
Wind ASSEMBLYMEMBER R. Polac BRODSKY
ASSEMBLYMEMBER D. BUTLER
Demig Butter
ASSEMBIYMEMBER Shops k. J. ROBACH
ASSEMBLYMEMBER E. VITALIANO
ASSEMBLYMEMBER K. J
KLEIN
Haway ASSEMBL IMMEMBER Deisury H.
STH WEISENBERG
SENATOR MARTIN M. SOLOMON
ASSEMBLYMEMBER S. HOYT
03/31/95 08:30
HUD OFC OF THE SECRETARY -> 202 456 7929
NO.718 P001
X
! UNITED /
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001
FAX TRANSMISSION
DATE:
3/31/95
NUMBER OF PAGES (including this page)
y
Jenifer O'Canner
Bruce Katz
To:
FROM:
PHONE:
456-7929
COMMENTS:
03/31/95 08:30
HUD OFC OF THE SECRETARY 202 456 7929
NO. 718 P002
8 OF ROUSING "
ween CND ELOPMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Jennifer o' Connor
FROM:
Bruce Katz
SUBJ:
Review of Contracts Between Recipients of Federal
Financial Assistance and Firms with Possible
Connections to the Nation of Islam
DATE:
March 31, 1995
This memorandum provides you with background on HUD has
handled the issue of federal funding being provided to security
firms with possible connections to the Nation of Islam (NOI). A
separate memorandum will summarize the Secretary's March 2nd
testimony before a House Subcommittee.
The Department received a number of letters during 1994 from
Members of Congress and private organizations expressing concern
that the Nation of Islam and firms affiliated with the Nation of
Islam had been awarded contracts to provide security at public
and federally-assisted housing developments. During that
period, the Department received no individual complaints of
housing discrimination by the security firms. Nevertheless, in
January of 1995, the Department commenced a review of these
contracts at the request of Senator Dole and other Members of
Congress to ensure that the contracts complied with civil rights
requirements.
The Department has not contracted with the Nation of Islam
for the provision of security of services. The Department funds
local public housing authorities (PHA's) and federally-assisted
housing providers who, in turn, enter into subcontracts for
various operating services. These PHA's and assisted housing
providers are local government bodies or private firms which, in
most cases, have full authority to make their own contractual
decisions without HUD approval. Also, the security contracts
identified are with firms which are separate, legally-
incorporated entities, which purport to be distinct from the
Nation of Islam, although the principals of these firms and their
employees may have other associations with the Nation of Islam.
At the outset of our review, we identified eleven contracts
between assisted housing providers and firms that may have some
03/31/95 08:30
HUD OFC OF THE SECRETARY 202 456 7929
NO. 718 P003
ties to the Nation of Islam. Four of these contracts were with
PHA's in Baltimore, Chicago (two contracts) and Dayton, Ohio.
The remaining seven were with private housing providers receiving
HUD assistance in Brooklyn, Buffalo, Pittsburgh (two contracts),
and Washington, DC (three contracts). All of these contracts
were for security services except the one contract in Dayton,
which is for the provision of social services. Also, by the time
of our March 2, 1995 hearing before the House Subcommittee on
General Oversight and Investigations, the two contracts in
Pittsburgh had expired. Thirteen other contracts in five
metropolitan areas had expired before the Department commenced
its review. Those expired contracts were in Los Angeles,
Washington, DC (five), Pittsburgh (five), Philadelphia, and
Freeport, NY.
HUD conducted its review, in part, under its compliance
review authority under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
and Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1974. HUD also conducted its review in order to determine
whether there was evidence to warrant a Secretary-initiated
complaint under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
During the recent congressional oversight hearing, questions
were raised about the employment practices of the security firms,
including suggestions that the firms may discriminate on the
basis of race, gender, and perhaps religion. During HUD's
review, investigators observed that the security firms'
workforces were all African-American and overwhelmingly male.
Several members of the oversight subcommittee suggested in their
questions that a mono-racial work force was strongly suggestive
of discrimination. The American Jewish Congress (AJ Congress),
one of the private organizations that has expressed concern about
the NOI-related contracts, also alleged possible employment
discrimination when, in March 1994, they asked the Department of
Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to
investigate whether the firms were in compliance with the equal
employment requirements for federal contractors. The OFCCP
informed the AJ Congress that it did not have jurisdiction over
its allegations and referred the matter to HUD.
HUD does not have jurisdiction over employment
discrimination unless (a) the primary objective of the federal
financial assistance is to provide employment, or (b) employment
discrimination operates to deny equality of opportunity or
otherwise discriminates against the beneficiaries of the public
or assisted housing program involved. HUD has not, to date,
uncovered evidence to this effect.
Despite the Department's limited authority to investigate
employment discrimination under Title VI, the Department did
request the voluntary cooperation of the security firms in
providing employment records to the Department. To date, the
security firms have failed to provide employment records to HUD
or to the public or assisted housing providers. As the
03/31/95 08:30
HUD OFC OF THE SECRETARY
202
456
7929
NO.718 P004
Department has no authority to compel the companies to provide
this information, we believe that the appropriate course of
action is to turn over any further review of the employment
matter to the EEOC.
Since the March 2, 1995 subcommittee hearing, the Chicago
Tribune and the Baltimore Sun, have published a series of
articles reporting a number of other problems these security
firms are facing, including tax evasion, a possible conflict of
interest involving a PHA Chairman, charges against guards for
"assault with intent to murder, " and renewed questions about the
inter-relationship between the Nation of Islam and the security
firms. Also, the Washington Post reported on March 28, 1995 that
the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil
Rights is investigating an NOI-affiliated AIDS clinic in
Northeast Washington, DC for alleged failure to treat patients
who are not African-American.
As the Secretary stated at the hearing on March 2, 1995, the
Department's review, although thorough and detailed, was limited
in scope. The review focused on compliance with contract non-
discrimination provisions, contract performance, proselytizing or
improper religious recruitment, discrimination or harassment
towards residents, as well as any complaints and grievances that
had been filed against the security firms. The results of the
nearly 1,000 interviews illustrated that there were no
"widespread or systematic" problems in the areas reviewed. The
Department, however, has not exonerated the firms. Due to the
time constraints imposed by the March 2, 1995 hearing date (only
six weeks after we commenced our review), the Department was
completing its initial review of these contracts on the eve of
the Congressional subcommittee hearing. Since that time, the
Department's lawyers have had an opportunity to conduct further
review of the documents and the other information collected.
The Department will undertake further review of the
contracts to determine whether the conduct recently reported in
the Baltimore and Chicago press justifies debarment or non-
renewal of the contracts.
I await any advice that you or your office may have as the
Department continues its investigation.
3-78-95 Nath Islam
Aehtenbug, Ehrinen, Mekva, Inademi,
- Doll letter
secy asks for veview
- -Achtenbey met w/ ADL in Jan
said well do what here legal
auth to do
tussle over it
AJC met w/ secy good mb think Title 6
sheel well emplint
EEOC D DeJ - HUD outt
all said no
Con DOL ?
$ respond to their
so all mad
letters
lotta new info
if combined w/ a complaint, then could
he reapen
Dont have asnew mut w/them
Bnai Bnth wellt wrate good little
Shld neet w/ them P then have see'ly
announce his asking DOJ
to do technical asst, on a further invests,
keep headlere from beeng Cisnerve coves in
to fews (6/c will piss off Blocks)
what if did it w/ Dard Saperstern to blacks
Black juwish group
meet w/hen
so well get a complaint, combine
w/ Trib article
well say Roll buing deprived of
AG
fau housing rights
then HC writes to Bacchus (AL) 6
Augo l stated I'd cont to monits;
we got a corplant to got more into
Press release form HUD
asked DOJ to promote invest,
reservices
Ab well get DOJ to do it
merify ADL letter to include Trib staff
03/28/95
10:29
OFC OF SEC -> 2024566704
NO. 999
003
kiy PON 09:45 ID:
TEL NO:
#031 P03
WLIB - 2/28/95
Speech of Louis Farrabhan on February 26, 1995
Do you know why I'm teaching the subject on Jesus saves? Cause after I say what
I'm saying today, if I ain't got a savior, Tm sure gonna need one after I say what I say today.
Let me just finish Don't be frightened for me. You better be frightened for yourself.
Because some stuff is going down in America right now as WE speak And all our lives are
in danger right now. And I've got to sound the alann, brothers and sisters. I don't care
nothin' about my life. It's your life that I wanna save. Lister. Now that the bank that prints
money is in the hand of private interest, the idea is to push up sed inspire the government to
borrow. How do you do it? Get America into warl The war E' Europe started in 1914, and
by 1917, hader g lie about the Lusitania being sunk by German subs, the American people
were called into a war to end all wars. Boy, this is heavy, man. You can't believe how
wicked, how low-down, how rotten, wait a minute, wait 2 minute, wait a minute You can't
believe how wicked these people are to play games with your lives and the lives of your
babies, create a war just to get more money, to charge more interest, and send your babies to
die for bullshit! Excuse me, but bullshit is the dropping of a cow or bull, it's b.s., it's lies, it's
deceit, and the American people weat to war in 1917, and black people sued to become a part
of the war, because we didn't want to be left out of America, 80 American signed us up to
fight the War. And black men died But they don't know what the hell they were dyin' for,
and neither did the white ones know what they were dyin' for. But the man of sin gotta be
revealed, and I thank God that he put it in my heart, I don't have до fear of those bastards, !
wauns expose them all God is present, God is in the world, and I'm gonna prove to you by
seriod sue use 212
TONDIIEN now
03/28/95
10:30
OFC OF SEC 2024566704
NO. 999
04
JAN-16-'00 MON 09:41 ID:
TEL NO:
=031 P04
2 -
my life that God has power to save Don't worry about me You better worry about yourself.
Excuse my language, but they are bastards, they're illegitimate children. When America
started borrowing money. they had to have a way to pay it back And that's how they thought
up the IRS. Then they started taking income tax. But by that time the Rockefellers and the
Carnegies had their money in trust funds, and they bad found & way to get around paying
taxes, but the taxes were for the poor and the middle class. It was a gradual income tax. It
was to keep on escalating. And in the same year, the FBI was established You think the
FBI is out here to fight crime. The FBI has done some of the most wicked, criminal things in
this country against the citizens of America. Who are you, Farrakhan? Who are you to take
on de unsean power of the world to expose them to & ligh: of day? Who = you? I say
I'm your brother. Im a servant of these two mighty men Ise FBI has spied on and setght
to persecure everybody, white or black, that tampers with concrol of the poor people.
Whether you're communist, socialist, whether you have an idea that could scienniate the
masses with truth, the FBI pourices on you in the same year that the FBI was established,
the Anti-Defamation League was established. The Anti-Defamation League has been used a
cover up and to fight against anybody that is not necessarily anti-Semitic but anybody who
will expose those Jews who have been at the roo: of the control of the banking system of the
Federal Reserve. So when you start opening up the truth, immediately they attack you and
call you either a latent anti-Semite or anti-Semite because they want to stifle you They'll
drive you our of Congress. They'll drive you out of business. They'll drive you out of
wherever you are. But I say to the Anti-Defamation League, this is one black IIII that you
ain't genna drive one damn thing. Now, from 1913 to 1995, the debt is nearly $5 trillion, and
SUB 458 212
TENDILON XII
00:00 SEAT-TO-HOW
03/06/95
11:03
OFC OF SEC -> 202 456 6797
NO. 850
004
Copyright (C) 1995. The Associated Press.
All Rights Reserved
03-02-95
11:30 AM
a0569 hud-nationofislam
PM-HUD-Nation of Islam, 1st Ld-Writethru, a0444,750
STUDY FINDS NO RECRUITING BY MUSLIM
PATROLS IN HOUSING PROJECTS
Eds: LEADS with 8 grafs to UPDATE with Cisneros, other testimony;
PICKS UP 6th graf pvs bgng, "Congress is'
By SONYA ROSS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Housing
division in our society. When I hear some of
Secretary Henry Cisneros said today he
the expressions by Minister Farrakhan, they
found no evidence that Nation of Islam
obviously grate. But we've followed the
security guards recruit for their faith while
law."
patrolling housing projects. He warned a
The Nation of Islam is an all-black
congressional hearing that further
Muslim denomination headed by Farrakhan,
investigation of their work
who has criticized Judaism and made
would only "persecute" the Muslim sect
statements offensive to Jews. The guards
With one exception, he said, the
have been credited with reducing crime in
firms with federally funded security
some of the country's most chaotic housing
contracts were entirely separate entities from
projects.
the Nation of Islam, a black Muslim sect led
HUD's review "has identified
by Minister Louis Farrakhan.
some local contracts with security firms
He acknowledged that the
which are run by persons who practice the
Department of Housing and Urban
Islamic faith," Cisneros said. Housing
Development's six-week review of the
agencies may not deny a contract based on
contracts was somewhat limited, but said,
religious affiliation, he noted.
"Going any further than this" would
Abdul Arif Muhammad, lawyer for
"persecute an organization" that has been
the security companies, said the owners of
effective in stamping
the security firms are "acknowledged
out crime in low-income housing.
members" of the Nation of Islam, but there
"We have been absolutely,
are no legal or corporate connections
scrupulously straight in our review,"
between them.
Cisneros told the oversight and
In testimony, he said allegations
investigations subcommittee of the House
that the Nation of Islam is a hate group
Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
already has cost the security firms several
Committee. "I abhor the tendency toward
private contracts with companies such as
03/06/95
11:03
OFC OF SEC -> 202 456 6797
NO. 850
005
Holiday Inn, Federal Express,
They never looked into the employment
Stouffer-Renaissance Hotels and the
Washington Convention Center.
discrimination," King said. "In Brooklyn,
we know they were proselytizing, selling
Congress is scrutinizing the federal
Nation of Islam products.
contracts to determine whether security firms
violate laws barring discrimination in
"He does have the right to stop
them, I believe, if it turns out there were
employment or use their security patrols as
a recruitment tactic.
bidding irregularities," King added. "My
feeling is once they got the contracts,
Late last year, Senate Majority
Cisneros looked the other way."
Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., asked HUD for a
Cisneros said HUD had not
list of Nation of Islam-held contracts either
received any discrimination complaints from
with HUD or agencies it regulates.
tenants against the contractors. The Nation
The HUD review found nine
of Islam, he noted, is not on the FBI's list of
current contracts for security in public
hate groups.
housing projects or federally subsidized
As for recruitment, Cisneros said,
apartment complexes in Baltimore, New
all HUD could find were "isolated,
York City, Chicago, Dayton, Ohio,
short-lived incidents" where the Nation of
Washington, D.C., and Buffalo, N.Y. Fifteen
Islam's newspaper, The Final Call, was
other contracts either have expired
distributed. The newspaper is sold primarily
or were terminated.
on street corners by dark-suited, bow-tied
The current contracts, worth about
Nation of Islam members.
$10 million, are held by NOI
Security Agency Inc., New Life Self
###
Development Co., X-Men Security, Inc. and
Nation of Islam Community Support Group.
They were reached with local
housing authorities and private landlords
who "have full authority to make their own
contractual decisions without HUD
approval," Cisneros said.
The support
group holds a contract with the Dayton
Metropolitan Housing Authority to provide
community services, not security, Cisneros
said. It was included in the HUD review
because its name implied a direct link to
Farrakhan's sect, the secretary said.
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who has
introduced legislation prohibiting federal
contracts for extremist groups, said the HUD
review skirted the employment
discrimination issue. He also wants to know
whether the companies were the lowest
bidders for their
contracts.
"These reports seem to be going
into the quality of the work.
03/28/95
10:32
OFC OF SEC
2024566704
NO. 999
708
1111
NATIONAL COMMISSION
National Chainnan
PAVID 11. STRASSITK
National Dieector
AHKAHAM 11 PRIXMAN
ADL
Chinago
National Executive Committee
HOWARD 1. BLRKOWING
Anti-Defamation League
Operating Officer
PETER T. WILLNER
Home Chairman
KENNETHI BIALKIN
SEYMOUR CRAUBAND
MAXWHI, P. CREENBERG
BURTON M. JOSEPH
March 2, 1995
BURTON $. LEVINSON
MEI VIN SAI HERC
Vice-Chainnen
MEYER EISENDERG
TIKIMAS HOMBURGER
JUDI KRUPP
The Honorable Henry G. Cisneros
AIIAN MARGI
CENTER POLI ACK
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
JOEL SPRAYREGEN
451 Seventh Street, SW
Honorary Viee.Chairmon
LEONARD ARESS
Washington, D.C. 20410
DOROTHY BINSTOCK
RUDY HOSCHWITZ
EDGAR M. BRONEMAN
MAXWILL DANE
Dear Secretary Cisneros:
MAX FISHER
BRUCE I. HOCHMAN
GERI M. JOSEPH
MAX M. KAMPELMAN
Following up on yesterday's letter to you, we write to
SAM KANE
PUBLIC M, KI UT/NIC R
PHILIP KRUPP
express our deep dismay and disappointment with the
5AMUEL 11. MILLER
BERNARD is. MINIA
Department's testimony at today's hearings on federally
MILTON MORIN
DERMARD NAIN
funded security services provided by affiliates of the
ROBERT W. NATMAN
Nation of Islam.
ANITA PRI MAN
SIDNEY R. YATES
Vice-Chair
National Executive Committee
In other circumstances, Mr. Secretary, you have
BANBARA BALSER
Humary Chairmen
demonstrated an understanding of the importance of
National Executive Cammillee
strong federal action to confront racism and
DAVID A. ROSE
KONAI D R. sonn
discrimination. Not today. In concluding your
Treasurer
ROBEN NAI IALY
testimony, you noted that some of Minister Farrakhan's
Assistant Instrurer
SYDNEY JARKOW
expressions "have caused national concern" and you said
household
you rejected them. But you then stated: "But that's a
CHARL DRING
MOI KUDLER
separate question."
Security
IRVING IAPIROS
It's not a separate question, Mr. Secretary -- and
President Icnai writh
KINI Γ. SCHING'S
that's the point. Beyond any excessively legalistic
Executive Vie President
attempts to distinguish the Nation of Islam and its
B'od BYND
SIDNEY STARTING
affiliated security services, remains one painfully
President
B'oni Writh Wamen
obvious truth: These are not just any service
SUSAN BRICK
contracts -- and the Nation of Islam is not just any
Active
Bind 11'p/11 Women
subcontractor.
BAll. wood
ASSISTANT NATIONAL DIRECTORS
We wanted to hear some recognition of this simple,
Devolopment
STUART TAUBER
apparent fact in your testimony -- and we did not. To
Paggram. International Aff,
the contrary, the overall picture presented of the
KENNETH JACOBSON
Nation of Islam through HUD's testimony was
DIVISION DIREC
complimentary.
Chill Rights
JURREY r. SININSKY
Community Service
The Nation of Islam is an organization with a well-
ANN TODRK
Human and Administration
documented, irrefutable public record of racism and
BOBBIE ARRESPELD
bigotry. Yet, HUD's limited and inadequate
CHARNEY V. HRL JAMBFICE
investigation of their affiliated security services
Leadership
AND IN 1110 National income
inevitably resulted in an inaccurate and distorted view
MARK D. MININ
of the organization. Further, your statement's shallow
Marketing and Communicate
MARK A. EDELMAN
comparison of the Nation of Islam with Catholic
Washington Representation
U.S.S N. HORDES
Charities, B'nai B'rith, and the Salvation Army is
odious and deeply offensive.
General counsel
ARNOLD PORSTER
Associate Coveral Commel
JUSTIN 1. FINGER
Anti.Defamation
03/28/95
10:32
OFC OF SEC -> 2024566704
NO. 999 009
The Honorable Henry Cisneros
March 2, 1995
Page 2
Your testimony essentially ceded civil rights oversight
responsibilities to other federal agencies -- in
circumstances we believe, instead, call for much more
vigorous and proactive HUD enforcement scrutiny.
The articulated racism and anti-Semitism of bigots can
poison the atmosphere of civil discourse and do much
damage. But the real danger of racist demagoguery can
occur only when good people are silent in the face of
bigotry, when they avert their eyes from it, or choose
to ignore it altogether. That is when prejudice can
grow -- and that is when minorities that are the
targets of hate and discrimination should really begin
to worry.
Sincerely,
Alexhan H. Foxma
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
03/28/95
10:28
OFC OF SEC -> 2024566704
NO. 999
001
& MOUSING
C
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001
FAX TRANSMISSION
DATE:
March 28
NUMBER OF PAGES (including this page)
To:
Jennifer 0 Lonnor
FROM:
Amy Liu
Ofc. #:
Ofc. #:
(202) 619-8054
Fax #:
Fax #:
(202) 619-8257
COMMENTS: Attached is the latest letter from
ADL and a draft response. Call if you
have any questions
03/28/95
12:29
202 387 3434
AJCongress
002
DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
Published by the JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY ins
330
Seventh
Ave.
11th
Floor
New
York.
N.Y.
10001
(212) 643-1890
CMIME - any NAME
Volume 73, No. 45
Wednesday, March 8, 1995
78th Year
HUD probe into Nation of Islam
blasted by Jewish organizations
By Malthe Dorf
The Department of Housing and
WASHINGTON, March 9 (ITA) A Department of Housing and
Urban Development has cleared security
Urban Development investigation, which has cleared security firms affiliated
firms affillated with the Nation of Islam
with the Nation of Islam of any wrongdoing, is under attack from members
of any wrongduing. The investigation,
of Congress and Jewish activisis.
prompted by pressure from Jawish groups
At the same time. a congressional hearing on the subject last week
and members of Congress, has come under
signaled a low point in bleck-Jewish relations as some black memt en of
attack. (Page 1)
Congress adaused Jowish groups of launching an assauts on Islam and blacks.
At the hearing, HUD Secretary Henry Cisacros said continuing the
IS Israell police teurched an investige-
investigation "would simply be using government resources to persecute" the
Nation of I-lain.
tion into alleged misuse of funds In the
Cisheros' evaluation drew the in of representatives from the
Histadrut labor faderation. A major
American Jewish Congress and the Anti-Defamation League, who also
political scandal erupted after reports that
testified at the hearing before the House Banking and Financial Services
police officials are investigating Labor Party
Subcommitree on General Oversight and Investigations.
leaders who allegedly misappropristed
For more than a year, Jewish groups had requested that HUD
Histadrut funds for thair own political
investigate 110 million in security contracts at low-income housing develop-
purposes. (Page 31
ments held by firms with ties to the Nation of Islam, the virulently anti-
Semitic group led by Louis Farrakhan.
If Israell officials and Jawish leaders
nun finally agreed to the Investigation in January, succumbing to
expressed dismay and surprise over a
extensive pressure from Jewish groups - including 4,000 letters from
statement issued by eight church lead.
supporters AJCongress - and from members of Congress, including Rep.
are that criticized the Clinton administration
Peter King R-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Loader Bob Dole (R-Kan.).
for "failing to recognize and support Pales.
"It is my view that these contracts are helping to finance Farrakhan's
empire of hate," King said in pushing for the investigation earlier this year.
tinian rights and interests in Jerusalem."
At 1/10 hearing last week, the Jewish groups both criticized the HUD
Avi Granat, an official wish the Israeli
investigation and reiterated their belief that the Nation of Islam should not be
Embassy in Washington, said he "was
granted govt rement contracts.
offended" that larnel was not consulted.
Both ADL and A/Congress argued at the hearing that HUD has
shirked its responsibility and "misinterpreted" its role.
Representatives from Israel, Egypt,
AT): went further, calling the investigation "Ilmited and Inadequate."
Jordan and the Palasticians convaned
in Amman for their first meeting to
Sassion erlorates into Jawish vs. black debete
discuss the return to the territarize of
The March 2 hearing had been expected to provide & forum to
Palestinians displaced during the 1887
explore the link between the security firms and Farrakhan. It was also
Six-Day War. Differences regarding the
expected " explore allegations that those firms discriminate against
non-blacks and people who do not belong to the Nation of Islam.
scope of the meating were evident, with
Instrad, the marathon sussion before a packed congressional hearing
the (sraell team calling it an "informal
room deteriorated into a minority vs. white and Jewish vs. black debate. The
consultation meeting." while the Arab
session Insted more than five hours.
leaders referred to R ns a formal attempt
The entire Republican side of the committee present were white men,
to solve the problem of displaced persons.
which was ii; contrast to the black and Hispanic Democratic subcommittee
members.
. The president of the U.N. Security
And the panel testifying against the Nation of Islam was made up
Council met with an Itresti representa-
exclusively of leve: Mare Stem of the American Jewish Congress; Jess
tive to express, soncern over the IsrasH
Hardes and Meyer Eisenberg of the Anti-Defamation League; and Jules
blockede of the Lahanesa COSSE. The
Folonetsky, is New York state Assemblyman and Orthodox Jew.
meating came in the wake of 1 letter
"I have to admit that 1 wish today that you were Irish, block, Italian,
Asian, Illepanic, that you didn't necessarily have to all be Jewish," Rep.
circulated by Lebanen asking for U.N.
Kweisi Maine (D-Md.) said to the Jewish panel testifying against Nation of
intervention to and the weeks-old blockade.
Islam.
(Page 21
"Tho uagedy. mark my words, is that this hearing is going to be scen
as I referendum on black-Jewish relations. It's not that at all," said Mfums,
More than 1,000 farvently Orthodox
n former charman of the Congressional Black Cauous and himself a Muslim.
Jaws gathered outside the Israeli Con.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Cellf.) called the hearing & "witch hunt."
sulate in New York to protest the axce.
"Yo 're treading on dangcrous ground when you make an argument
vation at the sita of on ancient cemetery
against the 'Tuslims. If you go after them today, is will be the Jows
in jaffa. The demenstrators said the dis-
tomorrow," :nid Waters. who does not serve on the subcommilleu but was
puted land, designated for an underground
allowed to participate in the hearing.
Republican members of the committee argued that the hearing was
parking lot, was a Jewish grave site. Israeli
an appropriate investigation into whether government money is being used to
officials said such claims are "baseless"
finance the hate and anti-Semitism of the Nation of Islam.
and that the land is I Christian buriel site.
"I summarity reject and repudiate those remarks," said Rep. Bob
0005 : (XL) DEPT.
1/4
"d
AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS NYC
14:41
96.8
MAR
03/28/95
12:30
202 387 3434
AJCongress
003
DUT
⑉
answers to some very legitimate questions."
Commission to look into the matter.
Scores of Nation of Islam supporters at the hearing
Another option that remains open is that the House
repeatedly interrupted the proceedings with applause "
Banking subcommittee will require HUD to refocus Its
Cisneros and HUD officials praised the security companies
investigation.
for cleaning up the housing projects.
Capitol Hill aides say the subcommittee has not yet
They also responded favorably as Democratic
made any decision.
members of the committee attacked the Jewish groups for
raising the Issue and " Nation of Islam security company
U.N. expresses concern to Israel
officials attacked ADL suggesting that the group should
over blockade of Lebanese coast
lose its tax-exempt status.
By Larry Yudelson
Testifying in defense of the Nation of Islam-
affiliated security firms, Leonard F. Muhammad, president
UNITED NATIONS, March 7 (JTA) - The
of New Life, one such firm, and & Nation of Islam ufficial,
president of the U.N. Security Council mer with an Isracli
told King in & heated exchange, "You ought to be
representative this week to express concern over the leraell
ashamed of yourself."
blockade of the Lebanese coast.
"I don't approciate this bearing one bit," Muham-
Lebanon last week circulated letters to Chinese
mad said. "The laws you seek compliance with should also
Ambassador Li Zhaoxing. who this month holds the
be used for the protection of our rights. Where is the focus
Security Council's rotating presidency, and to U.N.
on the money we have saved you, and the lives we have
Secretary-General Boutras Boutros-Ghali, asking for U.N.
saved?"
intervention to and the blockade.
In response, Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Als.), the
On Monday, the issue was raised by the Omani
subcommittee chairman, admonished Muhammad, saying,
ambassador during the Security Council's daily informal
"I don't consider you to have saved this country and its
consultations. It was decided that Li would discuss the
people one dime" If Nation of Islam guarda recruit new
issue with Israeli and Lebanase representatives.
members and spread Farrakhan's haved about Jaws.
Israel has stated that the blockede is in response to
Polonetsky came to argue that The security guards
Lebaness strictures on inhabitants of the security zone
were proselytizing on the grounds of at least one housing
[spacl controls in southern Lebanon. Ambassador Moshe
development in New York.
Melamed. Isruel's second-ranking diplomat at the United
The HUD investigation uncovered nine Nation of
Nations, met with the council president in the absence of
Islam-related contracts for security in public bousing
Ambassador Gad Ya'scobl, who was in Israel.
projects and federally subsidized apartments in Balumore,
Melamed explained that Isract's invasures were not
New York, Chiesgo, Washington, Buffaio and Dayton,
directed against the fishermen or other people in southern
Ohio. Fifteen other contracts were terminated for unknown
Lebanon, but were designed to prevent terrorist activities
reasons or have since expired.
from known bases in the area.
The $10 million in contracts are held by New Life
But according to Nohad Mahmoud of the Lebaness
Self Development Inc... NOI Security Agency Inc.. X-Men
mission to the United Nations. with increased Ismeli
Security, Inc. and Nation of Islam Community Support
serivity on the Lebanese cosst. "the fisherman don't dare
Group.
to venture into sea for more than half a mile."
There has been no indication as to whether the
An adiaus and deeply offensive' comparison
issue will proceed further in the United Nations.
In testimony at the hearing. Cisneros outlined what
"Here we do our utmost," said Mahmoud.
he termed a "thorough" investigation that in the end
"Something should be done there in the region, particu-
praised the security services.
larly with the arrival of Secretary of State Warren Christo-
Although the investigation uncovered "some local
pher in the region this week"
contracts with security firms which are run by persons who
On the eve of Christopher's visit, engoing hostili-
practice the Islamic fuith," Cisneros argued. "federal law
ties between Isracl and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon
does not permit a local housing provider to refuse 10
heated up.
contract with firms because of their religious affiliation."
Israeli helicopter gunships, artillery and tanks
Cisheros equated the Nation of Islam contracts to
scruck as Herbollsh bases in the southern Lebanon security
those held by B'nai B'rith, which runs HUD-subsidized
zone shortly before midnight Monday.
elderly housing developments as well as to contracts
About the same time, Israeli Jets flow over a
granted to other religious groups.
section of Beirut where Hezbollah maintains the headquar-
After the hearing. ADL National Director Abraham
less of its high commend. No bombe were dropped.
Foxman chastised the HUD secretary.
Earlier Monday, a member of the Isracli-allied
The "shallow comparison of the Nation of Islam
South Lebanon Anny was killed and two other SLA
with Catholic charities, B'nai B'rith and the Salvation
soldiers were wounded when & roadside bomb was deto-
Army is adious and deeply offensive," Foxmas wrote to
nated while their unit was on patrol in the eastern sector of
Claneros.
the security zone.
Both ADL and AJCongress officials argued that
Israell serties and artillery bombardments of
Cisneros' investigation, which was based on interviews
Hazbollah positions resumed Tuesday in southern Lebanon.
with tenants and a limited number of security guards, does
The commander of the SLA forces. Gen. Antoine
not address the question of whether the firms discriminate.
Lahad. toured Janisalem on Monday with a delegation of
"The issue is not whether the guards are doing a
15 other SI.A officers as the guests of municipal council
good job and the residents are happy wish them," Stem
member Yelteram Gaan. Gaon described Lahad as .
said. "HUD did not ask the right questions."
"Giend" whom he wanted to host In Jerusalem.
Although he believes that this is & "HUD responsi-
Lahad also mot with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rubin
bility," Stem said his organization will pursue the issue,
last work when the Israeli leader was touring southern
turning back to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance,
Lebanon.
which originally passed him on to HUD.
(JTA correspondent Naomi Segal in Jerusniam
Both AlCongress and ADL said they will also
contributed to this report.)
DEPT. (TX) 0035
t 12 d
AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS NYC
9:43
$6.
8
MAR
Washington Jewish Week, March 23, 1995
9
HUD WAS HAD!
AND AMERICA IS THE LOSER
A Department of Housing and Urban
allow this to continue. The Anti-Defamation League
Development (HUD) investigation recently cleared
is outraged that the Nation of Islam's message of hate
security firms affiliated with the Nation of Islam to
and its discriminatory hiring and proselytising prac-
continue receiving government contracts.
tices were ignored by HUD as not relevant to its scope
of inquiry.
Farrakhan Attacks Jews, Catholics and Others
The Nation of Islam has a well-documented pub-
HUD's Deaf Ear
lic record of racism and bigotry. And that abysmal
HUD not only turned a deaf ear to our arguments,
track record continues. As recently as February 26,
but the Secretary of HUD even equated doing busi-
1995, Minister Louis Farrakhan railed against Jews at
ness with the Nation of Islam with B'nai B'rith,
his annual Saviour's Day message in Chicago. Using
Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, United
centuries-old conspiracy theories and code words like
Church Homes, Habitat for Humanity, and the
"international bankers," Farrakhan excoriated Jews
Salvation Army. What's going on here? Who's on
as those who "have been at the root of the control of
first?
the banking system of the Federal Reserve."
You can help. If you agree that it is wrong for
In his own words, Farrakhan makes it clear that he
America to support the Nation of Islam with public
and the Nation of Islam hate not only Jews, but
funds, write to HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros (451
Catholics, whites, homosexuals and anybody else who
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20410) and to
is not like them. Sounds like the rhetoric of the Ku
your Representative and Senators. If you would like
Klux Klan.
more detailed information, including copies of hear-
ing testimony, write to us, Department E.
Your Taxes Where?
So, why are HUD and the United States
The racism and anti-Semitism of bigots can poison
Government spending your tax money on Nation of
the atmosphere of civil discourse. But the real danger
Islam contracts?
occurs when good people are silent in the face of big-
otry, when they avert their eyes, or choose to ignore
Would HUD be willing to spend your tax money
it altogether. The words of Edmund Burke say it best:
on contracts with the Ku Klux Klan?
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of
Would you let them? There is no rational reason to
evil is for good men to do nothing."
David H. Strassler
IDL
Abraham H. Foxman
National Chairman
National Director
Anti-Defamation League®
The Anti-Defamation League is the world's leading organization
fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services
that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
T 823 United Nations Plaza. New York. NY 10017
WHY IS IT so HARD TO GET A REAL INVESTIGATION
OF FARRAKHAN'S CONTRACTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT?
EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO, the
AJ Congress
American Jewish Congress
Stephen Wise Congress House
15 East 84th Street
American Jewish Congress asked
New York, NY 10028-0458
212 879 4500 Fax 212 249 3672
the U.S. Department of Labor for an
urgent and immediate review of
March 8, 1994
federal contracts held by the Nation
The Honorable Robert Reich
of Islam (NOI) and its subsidiaries
Secretary of Labor
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
to determine if they practiced em-
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20210
ployment discrimination in hiring
Dear Mr. Secretary:
security guards for housing projects
On behalf of the American Jewish Congress, we are writing to ask that the Office of
Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) conduct an urgent and immediate review of
funded by the federal government.
federal contracts held by the Nation of Islam and its affiliates and subsidiaries.
There was no response. We never
We recognize that the OFCCP has no authority to oversee the propriety or desirability of
government agencies spending tax dollars on purveyors of hate, racism, homophobia, anti-
heard a word.
Catholicism and anti-Semitism. But OFCCP is charged with ensuring that all government
contractors take affirmative action to ensure that employment with those holding government
This was our letter:
contracts is equally available to all citizens regardless of their race, sex, national origin and
religion.
At the most basic level, one is hard-pressed to believe that an organization whose spiritual
leaders preach that whites are devils, that.Jews are blood-suckers, and who have made generally
disparaging comments about the leader of the Catholic Church is, in fact, an equal opportunity
employer.
According to the published reports we have seen, the Nation of Islam and its affiliates
have held federal contracts at least since 1988. They thus have a sufficient track record for
OFCCP to assess whether these contractors have made any effort at all to comply with the
policy of non-discrimination which lies at the heart of federal contracting policy. If, as we
suspect, they are not in compliance with the policy of non-discrimination, then the only
appropriate remedy is a broad order of disbarment.
Last month, following a campaign organized by AJCongress
Whatever their race or religion, Americans reject discrimina-
that produced 4,000 letters, and after hearing expressions of con-
tion. There is nothing controversial about investigating a govern-
cern from Sen. Bob Dole (R-KA) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY),
ment contractor to ensure that the government is not funding bias
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which
in employment. And good performance on government contracts
funded the security services, at long last began an investigation.
no more excuses bigotry than making the trains run on time
Even then, it was the wrong kind of investigation, which
excuses political oppression.
asked altogether the wrong kind of questions.
Discrimination has no place in America. The U.S. govern-
As a result, after a perfunctory inquiry, HUD cleared NOI of
ment has no business financing it. And AJCongress will not let a
discrimination, and in fact, told a Congressional hearing that NOI
travesty be called an investigation.
was doing excellent work.
We will not let the matter rest. The legislative hearings are
continuing. We intend to make certain that the U.S. Congress does
Why this delay? Why this refusal to engage in a
what HUD won't.
real investigation of NOI's practices?
David V. Kahn
Phil Baum
HUD apparently believes either that it would be politically
President
Executive Director
dangerous to conduct a rigorous investigation of the Nation of
Islam or that the Nation's performance excuses possible racial
discrimination. HUD is wrong on both counts.
I too am very concerned. Here is my contribution to assist the work of AJCongress in
fighting discrimination and federal funding for discrimination, racism, and anti-Semitism.
NY Jewishweek 3-17-95
Enclosed is my check for:
$25
$50
$100
$250
$
Other
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Telephone
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.
American Jewish Congress
15 East 84th Street, New York, NY 10028-0458
(212) 879-4500
AJ Congress
Complaints of Discrimination
Lead Agency to Probe Clinic
CLINIC, From B1
preparing to begin a long-delayed
clinical trial of the drug Muhammad
tured the AIDS virus as a genocidal
promotes, low-dose alpha interferon,
U.S. Begins Probe of District AIDS Clinic
weapon against black people. De-
Muhammad said. Abundant Life will
spite Muhammad's criticism of the
be one of 12 sites participating in
government, Abundant Life has be-
the federally funded trial, estimated
gun to seek and receive federal
to cost at least $1.5 million, that
Facility, Linked to Nation of Islam, Is Focus of Bias Complaints
AIDS grants to subsidize its work. It
Muhammad said is scheduled to
has received more than a half-million
start in June.
dollars in subsidies, including
Julian Tolver, Abundant Life's cli-
By Amy Goldstein
poor African American residents in
at the clinic is welcome and would be
$367,000 for this year.
ent services director from 1993 un-
Washington Post Staff Writer
the District and nearby suburbs who
treated like any other client."
Those grants make the clinic sub-
til late last year, said that "probably
Federal health officials are launch-
are HIV-infected or have AIDS.
ject to federal anti-discrimination
It is directed by Abdul Alim Mu-
He called the probe a form of reli-
statutes.
ing an investigation into discrimina-
tion complaints against an AIDS clin-
hammad, a physician who is national
gious harassment. Even though
A Health and Human Services
spokesman for Louis Farrakhan,
Abundant Life is not financed by the
ic in Northeast Washington that has
spokesman said yesterday he could
Nation of Islam, he said, "the fact I
"My gut reaction is,
ties to the Nation of Islam.
minister of the Nation of Islam. Mu-
not legally identify the source of the
am national spokesman
The U.S. Department of Health
hammad rejects commonly used
makes
complaint. The spokesman, Camp-
this is going to turn
me
a
target
and Human Services' Office for Civil
AIDS medications and treats several
by all manner of
bell Gardett, said, "We looked into it
Rights notified the Abundant Life
people, and it makes the clinic a tax-
hundred patients with an unproven
enough to satisfy that this warranted
out to be a big to-do
get.
Clinic late last week of the probe in-
drug that he has touted as a poten-
being investigated further."
volving allegations that the clinic has
tial cure for the fatal disease and
"My gut reaction is, this is going
The American Jewish Congress, a
about nothing."
failed to treat patients of all races
to turn out to be a big to-do about
conservative organisation that con-
that he has lobbied the federal gov-
and nationalities, in violation of fed-
nothing," he said.
tends that the Nation of Islam is an-
-Abdul Alim Muhammad
ernment to research.
eral law.
Muhamma has said in public
tisemitic, has been urging federal
Abundant Life is a major source of
Muhammad said yesterday that
speeches that he United States and
health officials to investigate wheth-
99 percent" of its patients are African
alternative medical treatment for
Abundant Life "has no policy of dis-
other "white g overnments" manufac-
er Abundant Life discriminates in its
American, many of them living in or
crimination. Anybody who shows up
See CLINIC, B4, Col. 3
hiring practices. Marc Stern, a law-
near Paradise Manor, the housing
yer for the American Jewish Con-
complex at the eastern edge of the
gress, said yesterday that the group
District where the clinic is located.
had not filed any complaints involv-
Tolver said the clinic has treated
ing the clinic's services to patients.
Latino patients and "as a matter of
wash Post
The civil rights office has initiated
fact, we had a white female."
785 investigations this year, most of
"We accept everybody and any-
which have been settled when the
body," Tolver said. He noted, howev-
3-28-95
targets of those investigations
er, that the terms of the clinic's grant,
agreed to comply with federal rules,
administered through the District
Gardett said. If investigators find
government, specify that it target its
that a complaint is valid and cannot
work among residents of the District's
negotiate a settlement, they can re-
largely black neighborhoods east of
fer a case for an administrative hear-
the Anacostia River, where other
ing that could lead to revocation of
medical services are scarce.
the federal aid, or to the U.S. Justice
"Things like this don't discourage
Department for possible prosecu-
us," Muhammad said of the investiga-
tion.
tion. But he added, "It certainly dis-
The federal government also is
tracts people from their real work."
10,
MW
Jewish
News
COMMENTARY
Editorial
Bigotry and double standards
Bang! Better duck - you're hearing the opening shots of the 1996
presidential election.
Defamation League and American Jewish Congress - Cisneros set
Some have been fired in our direction. Thus, Jewish liberals -
up straw men, arguing that residents of housing projects patrolled by
there was a time when adding "liberal" would have seemed a redun-
the security firms had not complained, and that other religious
dancy - are going after the weak links in
groups - he specifically mentioned Catholic agencies and B'nai
the conservatives' armor - the two Pats.
B'rith - were also receiving HUD grants.
That helps explain the recent burst of
And Cisneros, in concert with black lawmakers, chose to portray
essays outlining the kooky, and possibly
NOI as a victim of religious persecution, rather than the anti-white
and anti-Semitic organization it has been documented to be.
anti-Semitic, historical theories espoused
by Pat Robertson and the virtual pop-
The Jewish groups pressed the point, to no avail, that the real
ulism and anti-Semitism of presidential-
issue was that NOI firms could not possibly be equal opportunity
possible Pat Buchanan.
employers, and that they were spreading
George Orwell once observed that when
Louis Farrakhan's message of hate.
he became an anti-communist, he was
We agree with AJCongress' Marc Stern
embarrassed by his new allies. Anti-commu-
that NOI is "an equal opportunity hater."
nism, after all, included left-wing, liberal,
It is also probably corrupt. According
conservative and faccist variations. Something
to a series of articles that ran in the Chicago
of the same thing seems to underlie this chal-
Tribune this week, "Nation-affiliated com-
lenge to Jews who have already gravitated over
panies are riddled with debt, failure and
to the GOP - aren't you embarrassed by your
allegations of fraud, while Farrakhan, some
allies?
relatives and top aides live lavishly."
But there is an additional twist. Orwell saw the
So what accounts for Cisneros' logic-defy-
problem with new allies as the occupational hazard
ing, clean bill of health? The embattled HUD
of the democratic left; that is, he refused to abandon
secretary, along with the White House, saw
anti-communism to the far right. Of course, the
no political benefit in locking horns with
Democrats of the 1990s are not the communists of the
NOI. President Bill Clinton's team has its eye
1940s, so the argument for holding fast to the liberal
on the '96 election, and is moving to shore up
coalition, whatever its other flaws, does not require us
its base among African American voters.
to support totalitarianism, the way Stalin's sup-
Clinton's potential problem is that a focus on NOI
porters did when Orwell's views were taking
exposes the fault line between two core constituen-
shape in Spain.
cies, African Americans and American Jews.
So the new twist here is that, reductio ad absurdum,
In the same way, pressing neo-conservatives to
the two Pats (with Jesse Helms thrown in for good
denounce Pat Robertson aggravates the fault line
measure) illustrate the dangers to Jews posed by right-
between Jews and the Christian right.
wing politics.
We think bigotry must be resisted,
And the alleged failure of Republican-oriented Jews
regardless of any immediate partisan
to stand up to the two Pats underscores their failure
advantage. When liberals use the two Pats
by
to be embarrassed by their allies, and therefore under-
to beat up the neo-cons and Republicans
cuts their claim to political leadership of American Jews.
use the NOI to beat up the Dems, each
There are real problems with the Republicans, including the ten-
employs a dangerous double standard: We insist you denounce
dency toward isolationism and nativism that manifested itself in the
your extremists, but we ask that you follow our example and pay no
anti-foreign aid and debt forgiveness rhetoric of some GOP mem-
attention to ours.
bers in Congress and anti-immigrant initiatives elsewhere.
Some try to distinguish between the threats to Jews on the basis of
But the two Pats don't make up the GOP and, anyway, Jewish
the perceived power of the anti-Semitic source. Thus, for some,
neo-conservatives have so attacked Buchanan. (On the other hand,
Robertson presents a more present danger than Farrakhan because
they attacked ADL for a report critical of the Christian right.)
he is in a position to influence the Republican program on abortion
Unfortunately, Jewish Democrats have enough problems within
rights and church/state issues; though presumably, he would not
their own ranks.
influence the GOP to accept his bizarre theories on the federal
Last week, we reported on the congressional hearings during
reserve system, the issue for which he, and his Jewish allies, are now
which U.S. Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros said he found no
taking so much heat.
problem in awarding contracts to Nation of Islam-linked security
But the HUD whitewash of NOI shows that, when it suits their
firms.
interests, Democrats, no less than Republicans, can turn a blind eye
Instead of dealing with the issues raised by congressional detrac-
to bigotry from their own ranks.
tors of the contracts and by Jewish groups - including the Anti-
We think both sides should be embarrassed by their allies.
VANTAGE POINT
HILLY GROSS
NY Jewishweek 3-24-95
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH WEEK
Affirmative Action Is Jewish Suicide
any years ago, in a career as a po-
There at the entrance to the plane, as big as
been he illegitimate offspring of a promis-
M
can pie; it's a different story altogether when
litical speech writer, I accompa-
life, was an African-American man dressed in
cuous social engineering policy. Hopefully,
they're demanding we submissively hand over
nied a candidate on an upstate
the traditional costume of an American Air-
with California's coming referendum, it will
our slice as well.
swing. The candidate was a
lines pilot. "They're not serious," he said.
die a quick, merciful death. But what havoc it
And make no mistakes about it, brothers
forceful, eloquent spokesman for
"They're not really going to let him fly the
will have left in its wake.
and sisters, if affirmative action is allowed to
the concept of affirmative action, and I must
plane. They're kidding," said the panicked can-
Basically, what affirmative action did was
survive, it is our Jewish community that will
admit the speech I/we had crafted was a rhetor-
didate.
change the rules of our societal game in the
be its greatest victim.
ical masterpiece.
ninth inning. Instead of the team with the most
A simple mathematical calculation will il-
Affirmative action was "our moral debt to
runs, the victor would be the team with the
lustrate. The entering freshman class at Yale
those for whom the American Dream had be-
fewest runs.
is 42 percent Jewish. Jews comprise less than
come the American Nightmare," he asserted
To our black brethren, affirmative action
3 percent of the total American population
in Buffalo.
was as mean-spirited a form of racist, pater-
Blacks and Hispanics come close to 20 per-
Affirmative action was our "atonement of
nalistic putdown as any Southern sheriff who
cent. If we must apportion admission on per-
compassion for the slavery of our black
ever blocked a schoolhouse door could deliv-
centage quotas rather than on merit, one need
brethren," he thundered in Batavia.
er, for it cheapened the coin of black accom-
not be a rocket scientist to calculate where the
Somewhere between Corning and Utica, it
plishment. A black college diploma was
numbers are going to come from.
occurred to me that when these guys' grand-
suspect, black achievement was tainted, a black
Our tradition teaches us to be fair, to be
fathers were slaves, mine were serfs, and no
success was diminished.
compassionate, to be just. It says nothing about
one was offering me nothing.
"No," I lied, "he's probably just the flight
In addition, it created a culture of entitle-
suicidal.
But it was in Syracuse that the scales truly
attendant."
ment. Entitlement must be justified by depri-
If the last Jewish liberals cannot get it
fell from my eyes. Mounting the ramp to the
Relieved, we settled into our seats for an
vation. If there is a "deprivee," there must be
through their brains that affirmative action
plane for the trip home, the candidate suddenly
uncommonly bumpy 50-minute flight to La-
a "deprivor," and so the once-vaunted black-
is nothing less than the end of civilization
froze, gripped my arm and motioned to the top
Guardia in which we honed our affirmative
Jewish coalition disintegrated into a tarpatch
as we know it, then maybe it's time for a col-
of the ramp.
action speech to even greater oratorical heights.
of ethnic rivalry.
lective lobotomy. With their luck, it would
Conceived in hypocrisy, midwifed by well-
It was one thing to march with our black
be performed by a quota-ordained neuro-
Hilly Gross is a local businessman.
meaning Jewish liberals, affirmative action has
brethren to get them a fair slice of the Ameri-
surgeon.
NATIONAL
Jews quiet on affirmative action
A year later, a non-Jewish
Still. today, only ADL sup-
by Debra Nussbaum
Vietnam War veteran named
ports most white challenges
Cohen
Allan Bakke made similar
of race- based remedies when
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
charges when he was not ad-
the cases reach the courts.
mitted to the University of
"We've long believed that
NEW YORK- Several
California Medical College at
there is no place in our SOCI-
Jewish groups long associ-
Davis.
ety for quotas or goals and
ated with civil rights causes
The Jewish community
timetables. said Abraham
recently took part in plan-
was divided over the case.
Foxman, national director of
ning a news conference de-
The American Jewish Com-
ADL.
signed to shore up support
mittee, Anti-Defamation
"We're beginning to coa-
for affirmative action - a
League and AJCongress filed
lesce around some of the is-
policy increasingly under at-
briefs with the U.S. Supreme
sues" related to affirmative
tack.
Court on behalf of Bakke.
action, said Karen Senter,
But when it came time for
The National Council of
NJCRAC's co-director of do-
the news conference itself,
Jewish Women and the Re-
mestic concerns.
which took place March 1
form movement's Union of
The National Council of
and was led by the Rev. Jesse
American Hebrew Congrega-
Jewish Women, which had
Jackson, the Jewish groups
tions filed briefs on behalf of
supported race-based gradu-
were nowhere to be found.
the university.
ate school admissions policies
Jewish representatives
Still, "Jewish groups were
in the Bakke case, adopted a
"didn't know what positions
singled out for attack" by
different policy in 1993, stat-
would be staked out" at the
blacks who felt that the Jew-
ing: "We resolve to work for
news conference, said the
ish community had deserted
affirmative action programs
representative of one group
their cause, according to a
which ensure equal op-
involved in the planning stag-
new book by Murray Fried-
portunity for all. We resolve
es.
man, "What Went Wrong?
to work for the elimination of
The Jewish groups in-
The Creation and Collapse of
quota systems in both the
cluded the National Jewish
the Black-Jewish Alliance."
public and private sectors."
Community Relations Advi-
"The position of the Jew-
NCJW's executive director,
sory Council, the American
ish community was pretty
Rosalind Paaswell, declined
Jewish Congress and the Re-
uniform when this debate
to explain the shift and
ligious Action Center of Re-
over affirmative action start-
would not hazard to predict
form Judaism.
ed," said Jack Greenberg, a
what position her organiza-
Their partial involvement
professor at Columbia Uni-
tion will take in the current
in the news conference re-
versity Law School who for-
debate. "We have to see what
flected the deep ambivalence
merly headed the NAACP
our members say,' she said.
within the Jewish community
Legal Defense Fund and was
According to Stern of AJ-
over one of the most volatile
a central player in the civil
Congress, "We're in the pro-
issues in black-Jewish rela-
rights movement.
cess of setting up a task force
tions.
For the past decade or so,
to begin a full-fledged review
"It's a little bit early yet to
most Jewish groups have
of our policies to see how we
be guessing at how the Jew-
cautiously favored overcom-
ought to respond to the cur-
ish community will react,"
ing discrimination with com-
rent debate."
said Marc Stern, co-director
pensatory training and edu-
"There are clearly new po-
of the Commission on Law
cation programs - but have
litical winds blowing and we
and Social Action at the
drawn the line at anything
have to look at where the law
American Jewish Congress.
smacking of quotas.
is and the effectiveness of
"This is going to be a big
The policy adopted in
these programs," Stern said.
issue, and we want to see
1973, and slightly amended
"Maybe affirmative action
what the Clinton administra-
in 1975 and 1981 by the con-
was a pump primer and
tion does on it and how other
stituent agencies of NJCRAC,
maybe it's time to move onto
political factors play out" be-
is an exercise in achingly
new programs.'
fore taking our own stand,
careful wordiness.
The main vehicle for Jew-
said the head of one major
Its policy emphasizes
ish support of affirmative ac-
Jewish group. This leader's
merit-based opportunity, op-
tion is through the Wash-
refusal to speak for attribu-
poses quotas and advocates
ington-based coalition known
tion in itself reflects the sen-
"compensatory education,
as the Leadership Conference
sitivity of the issue within
training, retraining, ap-
on Civil Rights.
the Jewish community.
prenticeship, job counseling
Jewish participants in the
The issue has taken on in-
and placement, financial as-
conference's steering com-
creased prominence since the
sistance and other forms of
mittee on affirmative action,
election of a Republican-
help for the deprived and dis-
which is still being formed,
controlled Congress last No-
advantaged."
include NJCRAC, the Reli-
vember. President Clinton,
"The sole criterion of eligi-
gious Action Center and AJ-
under political pressure from
bility for such special services
Committee.
conservative Republicans,
must be individual need; the
This time around, the issue
agreed recently to review af-
services must not be limited
is emerging not as one of
firmative action policies cur-
or offered preferentially on
Jews vs. blacks, but one pit-
rently in place. A California
the basis of race, color, na-
ting conservatives vs. liberals
ballot proposition against af-
tional origin, religion or sex,"
and Congress vs. the Clinton
firmative action may appear
the policy statement says.
administration.
on the ballot in November
1996.
Affirmative action policies
Jews-benefit from policies
followed on the heels of the
civil rights era, when Jews
worked together with blacks
through any scientific study,
has become almosi axions
to enact laws guaranteeing
atic that affirmative action
fair treatment for minorities.
has been good for women
The first two major court
In fact, Jewish women may
cases challenging affirmative
have benefited more than
action policies related to
white men trying to gain ad-
Jewish woman has
mission to graduate schools
higher
education
that had rejected them while
than
the
accepting less-qualified mi-
nority students.
well
for
In 1973, Jewish groups
spearheaded support of a
Sephardi Jewish law student,
it
helps
Marco De Funis, whose ap-
plication to the University of
Washington law school had
think
been rejected. He claimed
that less-qualified blacks
were admitted instead.
TEL:
Mar 08 95
10:33 No 002 P.04
B'nai Brith
women
BACKGROUND ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
FOR DISCUSSION AT
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER, 1985
BACKGROUND
The pursuit of affirmative action in this country has posed some thorny issues that are once
again coming to the fore of public debate. For over 20 years there have been laws
prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnic origin, religion, and, more
recently, age, but these alone have not been sufficient to end discrimination. Dismantling a
system of pervasive and extensive discrimination is a worthy goal to which the country has
committed itself, but is one not easily achieved.
How then to proceed? Vigorous enforcement of the law is clearly one avenue. However,
this alone, it is argued, is not sufficient because it is expensive, time-consuming, and
discrimination is not easily proved. Aggressive outreach to minorities in education, job
training, and employment are similarly almost universally endorsed (although recent funding
cutbacks have seriously impaired some of these efforts).
Quotas - A more divisive issue is whether or not affirmative action should include numerical
quotas. Quotas are fixed numbers or percentages set aside for the exclusive use of a
particular group. If the country is to niews om theoretical to actual equality, this is the
only way to proceed, say many civil rights activists. The Jewish community have been
leading opponents of this as a remedy to discrimination. Having suffered from exclusionary
quotas, they have opposed inclusionary quotas as being the same--destructive of the very
concept of equal opportunity.
There have been instances when courts have ordered temporary quotas in hiring as a remedy
to past, proven discrimination and, usually in these cases, there is also a continuing
resistance to ending discrimination. Some opponents of quotas find this acceptable
(American Jewish Congress and ORT, for example). Others (American Jewish Committee
and ADL) believe that in such instances the courts should impose fines or perhaps jail
sentences on those responsible for perpetuating discriminatory practices and to grant remedies
such as back pay to those who can prove they were discriminated against. Quotas under any
circumstances, they hold, are unacceptable.
Goals and Timetables Most affirmative action plans include some provisions for goals and
timetables. Goals mean a reasonable, realistic target and no penalty is exacted for not
meeting that target, provided that a good faith effort has been made to reach it within a
stated period of time. Changing circumstances or unrealistic estimates can interfere with
realizing goals, despite best efforts. An example is in an executive order drafted by
President Johnson that is presently being rewritten by this Administration. That order as it
presently stands, requires that businesses that wish to receive government contracts must
determine if there are fewer women or minorities in their employ than would be expected
according to their availability for work. If there are fewer, the contractor must develop
TEL:
Mar 08 95 10:34 No 002 P.05
goals and a timetable and make a "good faith" effort to meet these targets. These regulations
specifically prohibit "inflexible quotas," require only "good faith" efforts to reach
"reasonable attainable goals." A study by the Department of Labor in 1983 of 77,000
companies showed that minorities and women made significantly greater gains in employment
at companies contracting with government than in those that did not. The Administration is
proposing to change this order so that affirmative action plans will not include any numerical
goals or timetables, even voluntary ones. Such goals, they argue, violate a race- or gender-
neutral approach that is the hallmark of true equality.
The Administration makes no distinction between quotas or goals (nor does ADL). Others
(such as the American Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, and Union of
American Hebrew Congregations) say that overzealous administrators have sometimes used
goals as fixed quotas, but in fact, they are different. To assure that goals are properly used
in affirmative action plans they must be properly developed, adequately monitored, and
periodically reviewed.
Collection of Numerical Data - - A related issue is whether or not statistical data on race,
gender, ethnic origin, etc., can be collected and used to assess progress in affirmative action.
The Administration is proposing as part of its revision of the executive order mentioned
above, to prohibit such collection. Others (including virtually all Jewish organizations) find
that if such data are collected without violating the privacy of being used to favor or
discriminate against an individual, it is acceptable to assess progress in eliminating
discrimination.
FROM RABINOWITZ
202-543-7567
NO. 38
2
Melting Pot Boils Over
FORWARD
By ADAM BRODSKY
W
ith the debate over affirmative action burst-
Affirmative action sends a destructive implicit
ing into the open like a festering wound
message that certain groups are inferior - whether
recently unbandaged, those on the left seem
because of environment or genetics — and don't have
genuinely mystified. Why would anyone oppose a sys-
the skills to compete fairly. When Rutgers University's
tem that they see as clearly progressive, designed as it
president, Francis Lawrence, accidentally voiced that
is to integrate the country and compensate for past
message out loud recently, his campus exploded.
wrongs? Why would well-meaning Americans want to
Quality in certain areas of the work force, particular-
"roll back the clock" on civil rights? The New. York
ly in government and at universities, is suffering because
Times chalked it all up to a nefarious plot by Republi-
merit is no longer the primary factor in hiring decisions.
cans to skim off white male Democrats and capture the
The program often helps the wrong people.
White House in 1996. "Blue smoke and mirrors," an edi-
Wealthy and middle-class blacks benefit over poor
torial in the paper called it, facilely dismissing all that
whites simply because of their color.
"rhetoric about reverse discrimination." Another pub-
Fraud and corruption have plagued the system, as
lication on the left, The Village Voice, claimed that
whites have used black "partners" to win lucrative
white males are simply getting "whiny."
government contracts.
The better question is what took so long for simmer-
One of the most powerful arguments is that affir-
ing resentment over racial favoritism to boil over.
mative action just doesn't work. After 30 years, the
Americans, after all. find preference
successes - and there are some notable ones - have
programs abhorrent, and by over-
been too few to outweigh the pro-
whelming majorities, according to
gram's ill effects. Despite some
polls. That is no surprise. White males,
Unequal treat-
growth in the black middle class, the
at whose expense today's programs
underclass seems more entrenched
are carried out, make up a good chunk
than ever.
ment based on
of the population; their opposition
Finally, the argument that reverse
accounts for much of the resentment.
On a broader scale. the idea of
race offends
discrimination is too small of a prob-
lem to worry about - because there
unequal treatment based on race
fundamental
are too few blacks to displace many
offends fundamental American ethics
whites - won't hold up. For one
of fairness, merit and hard work.
American ethics
thing, it isn't true. Blacks, Hispanics
Those values have been a significant
and Asian Americans account for
force from this country's start. They
of fairness, merit
almost a quarter of the population,
have triumphed over bigotry time and
and their percentages are growing. In
again and have led directly to the cur-
and hard work.
New York, "minorities" already are
rent ubiquity of anti-discrimination
in the majority. It is true that in some
laws. So the real mystery is how Amer-
parts of the country, and in certain
icans with values like that could have
fields, like academia, law and
tolerated for so long a system that is discriminatory by
medicine, minorities make up a much
design and that, indeed, discriminates against such a
smaller share of the labor pool than they do in the pop-
large share of the population.
ulation at large. Yet it is precisely in those areas that
Affirmative action has enjoyed a 30-year ride for two
the most egregious lapses occur. Because black pro-
reasons. One is that it has received broad support from
fessors, for example, are so scarce, universities have
a coalition of guilt-ridden whites, misguided integra-
had to reach way down into the applicant pool to find
tionists and understandably bitter blacks, Hispanics
them. At one school in the metropolitan New York
and women. Pandering for votes, politicians on both
area, The William Paterson College of New Jersey, a
sides of the aisle have reinforced the idca that race-
desire by the board of trustees to boost the number of
based hand-outs and favorable treatment are accept-
minority faculty members led to a directive in hiring
able, indeed necessary, forms of social redress. The
that could be met only if the bulk of all new hires were
second explanation for the system's longevity is that
minority members, even though they may represent
less than 10% of the applicants.
some opponents tolerated it in exchange for political
support on other issues. Voters who opposed racial
The more important point, of course, is that when it
favoritism may have backed affirmative-action
comes to matters of principle, quantity should not mat-
Democrats nonetheless because of the politicians'
ter. Even small degrees of bias against whites and men
positions on, say, abortion, which those voters may
should not be written into the law any more than small
have considered more important.
degrees of discrimination against blacks, Hispanics or
Still, the very passions that led to affirmative action
women should be. The dangers of the slippery slope
and the civil rights mentality now seem poised to bring
and the double standard became clearest in Crown
them down. Discrimination is such an anathema that it
Heights in 1991, when officials believed that
simply cannot be tolerated indefinitely by Americans
"aggrieved" black youths were entitled to a little vent-
even when it is done out of good intentions. It was only
ing of their anger and allowed rioting against Jews to
go on for three days.
a matter of time before Americans realized that penal-
izing one group is no better than penalizing another
Jews; as a matter of fact, have been on the losing
and that, in fact, such racial-preference formulas come
end both coming and going. When quotas and outright
with pernicious side effects.
bans were erected to keep out blacks, Jews were gen-
Flaws in the program that have long been pointed to
erally kept out as well. Then, when affirmative action
even by staunch civil rights leaders, including many
came along intending to limit whites, Jews were
blacks are now being reconsidered.
counted along with them and subjected to reverse
Tokenism poisons race relations.
quotas. Though the subjects of past discrimination
Blacks and women in top positions aren't taken
themselves, liberal-minded Jews went along gladly
seriously because they're regarded as quota-fillers,
with the new system, hoping to sce a little social jus.
even when they've risen on their own talent.
tice for at least some groups, even if those groups did
not include Jews.
MAR-28-1995 12:32 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704 P.01
in * a
C WINNONY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001
FAX TRANSMISSION
DATE:
March 28
NUMBER OF PAGES (including this page) 9
To:
Jennifer 0 Lonnor
FROM:
Amy Liu
Ofc. #:
Ofc. #:
(202) 619-8054
Fax #:
Fax #:
(202) 619-8257
COMMENTS: Attached is the latest the letter from
ADL and a draft response. Call if you
have any questions.
MAR-28-1995 12:32 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.02
JAN-16-'00 MON 09:39 ID:
TEL NO:
#031 P02
OFFICERS of THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION
National Chairman
DAVID H. STRASSLER
National Director
March 1, 1995
ABRAMAM M. FOXMAN
Chairman
ADL Anti-Defamation League
National Exceptive Committee
HOWARD P. BERKOWITZ
The Honorable Henry G. Cisneros
Chief Operating Officer
PETER T. WILLNER
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Monorary Chalmen
KENNETH 1. BIALKIN
451 Seventh Street, SW
SEYMOUR GRAUBARD
MAXWELL E. GREENBERC
Washington, D.C. 20410
BURTOM M. ЮБРН
BURTON & LEVINSON
MELVIN SALBERG
Vice-Chalmen
Dear Secretary Cisneros:
MEYER EISENBERG
THOMAS HOMBURCER
JUDI KRUPP
ALLAN MARGOLIS
LESTER POLLACK
A report in today's Chicago Sun Times has indicated that in testimony before
IOLL STRAVEICEN
Honorary Vice-Chairmen
the House Banking Committee you will state that an investigation into the
LEONARD L ABESS
DOROTHY BINSTOCK
Nation of Islam's security agency does "not indicate any widespread or
RUDY BOSCHWITZ
EDCAR M. BRONFMAN
systematic problems" with the organization's contracts at federally funded
MAXWELL DANE
MAX FISHER
BRUCE 1. MOCHMAN
housing projects.
GERI M. JOSEPH
MAX M, KAMPELMAN
SAM KANE
PHILIP M KLUTZNICK
If this is indeed the case, we raise strenuous objections to this position. As we
PHILIP KRUPP
SAMUEL M. MILLER
BERNARD D. MINTZ
have stated in our letter to you in recent months, racism and anti-Semitism are-
MILTON MOLLEN
BERNARD NATH
-and have always been--central to the Nation of Islam's agenda, and it is highly
ROBERT R. NATHAN
ANITA PERLMAN
inappropriate for the Department to fund contractual agreements with them
SIDNEY R. YATES
ViceChale
which include quasi-law enforcement responsibilities and such ancillary
National Executive Commine
BARBARA BALSER
services as counselling.
Honorary Chairmen
National Exceptive Committee
DAVID A. ROSE
RONALD B. SOBEL
The horrendous nature of Nation of Islam bigotry was underscored only this
Treasurer
ROBERT H. NAFTALY
week, when Minister Louis Farrakhan, the group's leader, delivered a speech
Assistant Treasures
SYDNEY MARKOW
[excerpts attached] laced with anti-Semitic conspiracy accusations to thousands
Honorary Treasurers
CHARLES COLDRING
of his followers in Chicago. (For instance, he condemned "Jews who have
MOE EUDLER
Secretary
been at the root of control of the banking system of the Federal Reserve.")
IRVING SHAPIRO
President, Ball Birth
RENT E. SCMINER
It is difficult to believe that an organization with the Nation of Islam's record
Executive Vice President
B'nai 5'min
of bigotry and racism is an equal opportunity employer. Your apparent
SIDNEY CLEARFIELD
exoneration of the Nation of Islam raises questions as to the scope of your
President
B'nai 8'rith Women
SUSAN BRUCK
investigation and clearly sends the wrong message to the American people. It
Active Director
B'ail Brith Women
suggests that an organization dedicated to spreading racism and division is a
CALL WOOD
worthy recipient of their tax dollars.
ASSISTANT NATIONAL DIRECTORS
Development
STUART TAUBER
The bottom line could not be more obvious--the government of the United
Fingram, Instructional Affairs
KENNETH JACOBSON
States should not be in the business of providing legitimacy, approval, or
encouragement to a hate group. Any other conclusion debases the very
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Chill Rights
concept of the civil rights movement and squanders the moral authority of our
REFEREY #. SINENSEY
Community sinke
nation.
ANN TOURK
Finance and Acionnistration
BUBBIE ARBISFELD
Intergroup Relations
We strongly urge you to reconsider your position on this matter.
CHARNEY V. BROMBERG
Leadership
Amitant to the National Director
MARK D. MEDIN
Sincerely,
Marketing and Communications
MARK A EDELMAN
Washington Representative
IESS N. HORDES
Abraham H. Foxman
Control Cuursel
ARNOLD FORSTER
National Director
Associate General Country
IUSTIN L FINGER
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 (212) 490-2325 FAX: (212) 867-0779
MAR-28-1995 12:33 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.03
ID:
ILL NO:
8031 P03
WLIB - 2/28/95
Speech of Louis Farrabhan on February 26, 1995
Do you know why I'm teaching the subject on Jesus saves? Cause after I say what
I'm saying today, if I ain't got & savior, Tm sure gonna need one after I say what 1 say today.
Let me just finish Don't be frightened for me. You better be frightened for yourself.
Because some stuff is going down in America right now as WE speak And all our lives are
in danger right now, And I've got to sound the alarm, brothers and sisters. I don't care
nothin' about my life. It's your life that I wanna save. Listen. Now that the bank that prints
money is in the hand of private interest, the idea is to push up and inspire the government to
borrow. How do you do it? Get America into warl The war E Europe started in 1914, and
by 1917, under a lie about the Lusitania being sunk by German subs, the American people
were called into & war to end all wars. Boy, this is heavy, man You can't believe how
wicked, how low-down, how rotten, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. You can't
believe how wicked these people are to play games with your lives and the lives of your
babies, create a war just to get more money, to charge more interest, and send your babies to
die for bullshit! Excuse me, but bullshit is the dropping of a cow or bull, it's b.s., it's lies, it's
deceit, and the American people were to war in 1917, and black people sued to become a part
of the war, because we didn't want to be left out of America, 80 American signed us BY to
fight the war. And black men died. But they don't know what the hell they were dyin' for,
and neither did the white ones know what they were dyin' for. But the man of sin gotta be
revealed, and I thank God that he put it in my heart, I don't have no fear of those bastards, I
Waune expose them all! God is present, God is in the world. and I'm gonna prove to you by
sessed ELLA LSB 212
ADL NATIONAL
MAR-28-1995 12:33 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.04
JAN-15-'00 MON 09:41 ID:
TEL NO:
#031 P04
- 2 -
my life that God has power to save. Don't warry about me You better werry shout yourself.
Excuse my language, but they are bastards, they're illegitimate children. When America
started borrowing money. they had to have a way to pay it back And that's how they thought
up the IRS. Then they started taking income tax But by that time the Rockefellers and the
Carnegies had their money in trust funds, and they bad found 8 way to get around paying
taxes. but the taxes were for the poor and the middle class. It was a gradual income at It
was to keep on escalaring. And in the same year, the FBI 535 established You think the
FBI is out here to Fight crime. The FBI has done some of the rost wicked, criminal things in
is country against the citizens of America Who are you, Farrakhan? Who are you to cake
on the useen power of the world to expose them to de Egh: of day? Who = you? I say
IT your brother. I'm a servact of these DAC mighty = Tre FBI has spied on and songht
to persecure everybody. white or black, tha: cimpers with control of the poer people.
Whether you're communist, socialist, whether you have 22 idea that could stimulate the
masses with truth, the FBI pounces en YOU In the stude year that the FBI was established,
the Anti-Defamation League 425 comblished. Tge Anti-Defamation League has been used a
COYET up and to fight against envbody that is not necessary anti-Semitic but anybody who
will expose those Jews who have been at the root of the control of the banking system of the
Federal Reserve. So when you start opening up the tuth, immediately they attack you and
call you either a latest anti-Semite or auti-Semite because they want to stifle you They'll
drive you our of Congress. They'll drive you our of business. Theyll drive you out of
wherever you are. But I say to the Anti-Defamation League, this is one black 1 that you
ain't gonna drive one damn thing. Now, from 1913 to 1995, the debt is nearly $5 trillion, and
sero'd ELL 857 212
ADL NATIONAL
07:91
MAR-28-1995 12:34 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.05
Mr. Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith
823 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Dear Mr. Foxman:
Thank you for your recent March 1, 1995 letter expressing
the concerns of the Anti-Defamation League about private
contracts with the Nation of Islam for security services at
public and assisted housing facilities. Specifically, you voiced
your concerns about a report in the Chicago Sun Times dated March
1, 1995, which stated, among other things, that HUD's review of
these contracts did not "indicate any widespread or systematic
problems" with the reviewed security firms. You indicated that
HUD's "apparent exoneration of the Nation of Islam raises
questions as to the scope of your investigation and clearly sends
the wrong message to the American People. Finally, you stated
that it was "difficult to believe that the Nation of Islam was an
equal opportunity employer." Allow me to address your concerns
and explain more precisely the status and results of our review,
which were not fully reported in the Chicago Sun Times article.
As you know, your letter predated my detailed testimony
before the Subcommittee on General Oversight and Investigations
on March 2, 1995. I hope, therefore, that the various points
discussed throughout my testimony answered some of your
questions. I have enclosed a copy for your records.
Let me start by reiterating that I, and HUD, condemn
intolerance and hatred and do not in any way support bigotry. As
I have stated in the past and as I emphasized at the hearing, I
vehemently disagree with many of the views shared by Louis
Farrakhan. However, under the present state of the law, a local
housing provider cannot be prevented from entering into a service
contract merely because of the religious affiliation of the
firm's owner. Nevertheless, HUD conducted a review in order to
assure that the local housing providers and the security firms
identified were complying with civil rights laws.
Please be assured that HUD has not "exonerated" the Nation
of Islam. As I stated at the hearing on March 2, 1995, our
review, although thorough and detailed, was limited in scope.
The review focused on compliance with contract non-discrimination
MAR-28-1995 12:34 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.06
2
provisions, contract performance, proselytizing or improper
religious recruitment, discrimination or harassment towards
residents, as well as any complaints and grievances that had been
filed against the security firms. The results of the nearly
1,000 interviews illustrated that there were no "widespread or
systematic" problems in the areas reviewed. The review, on the
other hand, could not address in any depth the issue of
employment discrimination as I shall explain more fully below.
To the extent that the facts have established some isolated
and/or short lived incidents of violations applicable to HUD
programs such as proselytizing on the housing sites, I can assure
you that HUD has taken immediate action to eliminate and correct
any such conduct identified in the review. In order to ensure
that public housing authorities and assisted providers are aware
of the civil right requirements that flow from receipt of federal
funds from HUD, we have sent a letter to each of the housing
providers involved advising and warning them that the failure to
assure compliance with civil rights requirements can result in
the initiation of administrative sanctions including declaration
of breach of the ACC or Regulatory Agreement, findings of non-
compliance with Title VI and/or Section 109, the issuance of
Limited Denial of Participation orders for HUD programs and
possible debarment from participation in Government contracting
programs.
With regard to the question of employment discrimination,
our review did not certify that the security firms identified
were "equal opportunity employers." We did note that our review
did not reveal any complaints about employment discrimination on
the basis of race or gender by the security firms involved,
either from residents of the housing developments or from persons
otherwise alleging injury as a result of any alleged
discrimination. However, as I and Assistant Secretary Achtenberg
testified on March 2, 1995, we asked the Housing Authorities and
the three security firms, Citywide/New Life Self Development
Corp., Nation of Islam Security Agency, Inc., and X-Men Security,
Inc., as well as the Nation of Islam Community Support Group,
that they provide us with incorporation documents and employment
data. We have received no data as of today. While HUD's
jurisdiction to investigate the employment practices of firms
doing business with public housing authorities and private
housing providers is limited under Title VI, the Department is
taking steps to see that the housing providers comply with their
contracts with HUD with respect to equal employment requirements.
After discussing this issue further with the Chairman of the
Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission (EEOC), we have
referred the matter of the firms' employment and hiring practices
to the EEOC for review pursuant to their jurisdiction over Title
MAR-28-1995 12:35 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.07
3
VII. It was decided that the EEOC is the appropriate agency to
address the issue of employment practices.
Thank you for your support of the Department's action in
reviewing these contracts expressed in your January 19, 1995
letter and for sharing your concerns with us. I hope that I have
answered your questions, and feel free to contact me again if you
have any further comments. I am also sending a letter to Mr.
David Strassler who cosigned your previous letters to me.
Sincerely,
Henry Cisneros
CC: Jess N. Hordes, ADL Washington Representative
MAR-28-1995 12:35 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.08
1111
NATIONAL COMMISSION
National Chairman
DAVID 11. STRASSI.ER
National
ABKABIAM 11. HIXMAN
Chairman
ADL Anti-Defamation League
National each essive commune
HOWARD 1. BERKOWILL
Chic Operating Officer
PETER T. WILLNER
environ
KENNETH11. BIALKIN
SEYMOUR GRAUBARD
MAXWELL F. EXFENBERG
BURTON M. JOSEPH
March 2, 1995
BURTON S. LEVINSON
MEI VIN SAI HTRC:
Vice-Chairinen
MEYER EISENBERG
THOMAS HOMBURGLR
IUDI KRUPP
The Honorable Henry G. Cisneros
AIIAN MARGOLI
LESTER POLI ACK
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
JOEL 5PRAYREGEN
451 Seventh Street, SW
Hunorary Vice-Chairmen
LEONARD ARESS
Washington, D.C. 20410
DOROTHY SINSTOCK
RUDY BOSCHWITZ
EDGAR M. BRONEMAN
MAXWELL DANE
Dear Secretary Cisneros:
MAX FISH HER
BRUCE 1. HOCHMAN
GERI M. KOSEPH
MAX KAMPELMAN
Following up on yesterday's letter to you, we write to
SAM KANE
M. KI UT/NR
express our deep dismay and disappointment with the
PHILIP KRUPP
5AMUEL 11. MILLER
Department's testimony at today's hearings on federally
BERNARD D. MINI%
MILTON MOLLEN
funded security services provided by affiliates of the
BERNARD NAIH
ROBERT K. NAIHAN
Nation of Islam.
ANITA PERMAN
SIDNEY k. VATES
Vice-Chnir
National Everytive Committee
In other circumstances, Mr. Secretary, you have
BARBARA BALSER
demonstrated an understanding of the importance of
Honorary Chairmen
National Avecutive Revenue
strong federal action to confront racism and
UAVID A. KOSE
KONALD B. SOBEL
discrimination. Not today. In concluding your
Treasurer
ROBIN 1. NAI INY
testimony, you noted that some of Minister Farrakhan's
Assistant Instruct
expressions "have caused national concern" and you said
SYDNEY JARKO
Honorary Treasurers
you rejected them. But you then stated: "But that's a
CHARL FS ORING
NOI KUDER
separate question."
558.692.7
IRVING: BANKS:
It's not a separate question, Mr. Secretary -- and
President, ISTAI
that's the point. Beyond any excessively legalistic
KINT r. SCIINIR
Preference
attempts to distinguish the Nation of Islam and its
Bod 8'1111
SIDNEY CIFARETTE
affiliated security services, remains one painfully
President
obvious truth: These are not just any service
B'mi d'rith Women
SUSAN BRUCK
contracts -- and the Nation of Islam is not just any
Ading Director
B'esi Brith Women
subcontractor.
BiAll. WOOD
ASSISTANT NAIK NAi. DIRECTORS
We wanted to hear some recognition of this simple,
Development
apparent fact in your testimony -- and we did not. To
STUART TAUBER
Program. international Aff,
the contrary, the overall picture presented of the
KINNETH
Nation of Islam through HUD's testimony was
DIVISION DIREC
complimentary.
(WI) Rights
SERREY l'. SINENSKY
Community Service
The Nation of Islam is an organization with a well-
ANN TOURK
documented, irrefutable public record of racism and
STATES 11:21 Administration
ROBBIE ARBESTELD
bigotry. Yet, HUD's limited and inadequate
interyroup Review
CHARNEY V. 8KL )MBFRG
investigation of their affiliated security services
backets
inevitably resulted in an inaccurate and distorted view
Assistant lo In. National Duestor
MARK D. MEDIN
of the organization. Further, your statement's shallow
Marketing and Communications
MARK A, EXPLANAN
comparison of the Nation of Islam with Catholic
Washington Representative
ITSS V. HORDES
Charities, B'nai B'rith, and the Salvation Army is
odious and deeply offensive.
General Counsel
ARNOLD FORSTER
Associate Corred Conton
JUSTIN FINGER
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 (212) 490-2525 FAX: (212) 867-0779
MAR-28-1995 12:36 FROM OFC OF SECRETARY
TO
94566704
P.09
The Honorable Henry Cisneros
March 2, 1995
Page 2
Your testimony essentially ceded civil rights oversight
responsibilities to other federal agencies -- in
circumstances we believe, instead, call for much more
vigorous and proactive HUD enforcement scrutiny.
The articulated racism and anti-Semitism of bigots can
poison the atmosphere of civil discourse and do much
damage. But the real danger of racist demagoguery can
occur only when good people are silent in the face of
bigotry, when they avert their eyes from it, or choose
to ignore it altogether. That is when prejudice can
grow -- and that is when minorities that are the
targets of hate and discrimination should really begin
to worry.
Sincerely,
Abalan H. Foxma
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
THE WHITE HOUSE
washington
March 28, 1995
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
LEON PANETTA
ABNER MIKVA
FROM:
HAROLD ICKES
SUBJECT:
SECRETARY CISNEROS' NATION OF ISLAM TESTIMONY
The Anti-Defamation League objected to a portion of Secretary Cisneros' testimony on the
Nation of Islam's security contracts at public housing developments. Essentially, the ADL
takes the position that HUD should not be legitimizing the Nation of Islam.
I have attached a paragraph taken from the Secretary's testimony that has caused particular
concern. In it the Secretary draws the analogy that public housing organizations have ties to
many religious organizations, including B'nai B'rith, Catholic Charities, etc. I have also
attached a copy of a newspaper advertisement the ADL took out condemning HUD, a memo
describing the Secretary's testimony, a letter from ADL to the Secretary and the Secretary's
draft response. The Secretary is trying to set up a meeting with the ADL in the next two
weeks to try to sort the matter out.
Ab Mikva and Kitty Higgins are focussing on this issue, along with staff from HUD.
PAGE
21
NAME: HBA061090
491
Contracts.
492
Second, HUD does not support intolerance or hatred by any
493
organization. The Department, I believe, has been very
494
Horceful in its efforts to assure that there is no
495
|iscrimination in its programs and its activities.
496
Thirdly, the security firms we have identified are
497
separate legally incorporated entities distinct from the
498
Nation of Islam. Even if there is an affiliation between
499
the security firms and the Nation, thousands of local
500
housing providers throughout the country obtain services and
501
conduct some form of secularly related business with various
502
organizations that have some affiliation to religious
503
Jroups, such as B'nai B'rith, Habitat for Humanity, Catholic
504
Charities, Lutheran Social Services, United Church Homes,
505
the Salvation Army, and the establishment clause of the
506
Constitution does not forbid such activity.
507
Fourth, there is concern that contracting with the Nati
508
of Islam results in providing funds to a hate group. The
509
term "hate group'' is not defined by the Department of
510
Justice statutes or regulations; but it may prosecute
511
individuals who commit acts of prejudice.
512
Although the Department of Justice does not keep a list
513
rate groups, the FBI does maintain a list of groups known to
514
have committed terrorist acts. The Nation of Islam is not
515
on that list.
Washington Jewish Week, March 23, 199
HUD WAS HAD
AND AMERICA IS THE LOSER
A
Department of Housing and Urban
allow this to continue. The Anti-Defamation Leag
Development (HUD) investigation recently cleared
is outraged that the Nation of Islam's message of ha
security firms affiliated with the Nation of Islam to
and its discriminatory hiring and proselytising pra
continuei receiving government contracts.
tices were ignored by HUD as not relevant to its SCO
of inquiry.
Farrakhan Attacks Jews, Catholics and Others
The Nation of Islam has a well-documented pub-
HUD's Deaf Ear
lic record of racism and bigotry. And that abysmal
HUD not only turned a deaf ear to our argumer
track record continues. As recently as February 26,
but the Secretary of HUD even equated doing b
1995, Minister Louis Farrakhan railed against Jews at
ness with the Nation of Islam with B'nai B'n
his annual Saviour's Day message in Chicago. Using
Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Uni
centurie told conspiracy theories and code words like
Church Homes, Habitat for Humanity, and
"international bankers," Farrakhan excoriated Jews
Salvation Army. What's going on here? Who's
as those who "have been at the root of the control of
first?
the banking system of the Federal Reserve."
You can help. If you agree that it is wrong
In his own words, Farrakhan makes it clear that he
America to support the Nation of Islam with РЧ
and the Nation of Islam hate not only Jews, but
funds, write to HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros
Catholic whites, homosexuals and anybody else who
Seventh Street, SW. Washington, D.C. 20410) an
is not like them. Sounds like the rhetoric of the Ku
your Representative and Senators. If you would
Klux Klan.
more detailed information, including copies of
ing testimony, write to as, Department E.
Your Taxes Where?
So: why are HUD and the United States
The racism and anti Semitism of bigots can P
Government spending your tax money on Nation of
the atmosphere of civil discourse. But the real da
Islam contracts?
occurs when good people are silent in the face C
otry, when they avert their eyes, or choose to ig
Would HUD be willing to spend your tax money
it altogether. The words of Edmund Burke say it
on contracts with the Ku Klux Klan?
"The only thing necessary for the triumph
Would you let them? There is no rational reason to
evil is for good men to do nothing."
David H. Strassler
ADL
Abraham H. Foxman
National Chairman
National Director
Anti-Defamation League
QUANTMENTO FROUSING
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001
March 2, 1995
MEMORANDUM TO:
KITTY HIGGINS
FROM:
BRUCE KATZ
Ba
At
RE:
NATION OF ISLAM HEARING
Secretary Henry Cisneros will testify on Capitol Hill this
morning about HUD's review of Nation of Islam (NOI) security
contracts at public housing developments.
Testifying before the House Committee on Banking and
Financial Services Subcommittee on General Oversight and
Investigations, the Secretary will discuss HUD's review of
contracts between public housing authorities and assisted housing
providers that receive federal funds and security firms which
have been associated with the Nation of Islam.
HUD initiated a review of these contracts following
inquiries from Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole, Representative
Charles Schumer, Representative Peter King, and others
questioning why federal funds were being awarded to NOI.
The Secretary will make the following five points in his
testimony: First, it is the local public housing authorities and
local private housing providers, not HUD, who do the contracting
for services such as security. These local authorities and
housing providers are local government bodies or private firms
existing under State law which own and operate their own housing
programs for low-income families.
Second, HUD does not support intolerance or hatred by any
organization.
Third, the security firms we have identified are separate
legally incorporated entities, distinct from the Nation of Islam. and
Even if there is an affiliation between the security firms
the Nation of Islam, thousands of local housing providers
secular-related business with various organizations such as nai
throughout the country obtain services and conduct some form of
B'rith, Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social
Services, United Church Homes, and the Salvation Army.
Fourth, there is a concern that contracting with the Nation
of Islam results in providing funds to a "hate group. The term
statutes or regulations, but it may prosecute individuals who
"hate group, " is not defined by the Department of Justice's
commit acts of prejudice. Although the DOJ does not keep a list
of "hate groups," the FBI does maintain a list of groups known to
have committed terrorist acts. The Nation of Islam is not on
that list. In addition, in the last five years, the Department
of Justice has filed no criminal prosecutions alleging hate
crimes by members of the Nation of Islam.
Finally, since these security firms first began their work
in 1988 and throughout our review, there have been no complaints
filed against these firms regarding any inappropriate religious
activity. In fact, the result of close to 1,000 interviews of
residents and management illustrates that these security guards
have been effective in transforming many drug ridden properties
into places where there is now safety and peace.
Also, I have attached an AP story which is embargoed until
after the Secretary testifies this morning. It will run on the
afternoon cycle.
JAN-16-'00 MON 09:39 ID:
TEL NO:
#031 F02
OFFICERS or THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION
National Chairman
DAVID H. STRASSLER
March 1, 1995
ADI
National Director
ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN
Chairman
Anti-Defamation
National Executive Committee
HOWARD P. BERKOWITZ
The Honorable Henry G. Cisneros
Ourl Commins Officer
PETER T. WILLNER
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Monorary Chairmen
451 Seventh Street, SW
KENNETH b BIALKIN
SEVINOUR GRAUBARD
MAXWELL E. GREENBERG
Washington, D.C. 20410
BURTON M. KOSEPH
BURTON E. LEVINSON
MELVIN SALBERO
Vire-Chaimen
Dear Secretary Cisneros:
MEYER EISENBERG
THOMAS MOMBURGER
IUDI KRUPP
ALLAN MARGOUS
A report in today's Chicago Sun Times has indicated that in testimony before
LESTER POLLACK
JOIL SPRAVEECEN
the House Banking Committee you will state that an investigation into the
Honorary Vice-Chairmon
LEONARD L ABESS
Nation of Islam's security agency does "not indicate any widespread or
DOROTHY BINSTOCK
RUDY BOSCHWITZ
EDCAR M. BRONFMAN
systematic problems" with the organization's contracts at federally funded
MATWELL DANE
MAX FISHER
housing projects.
BRUCE L HOCHMAN
CLU M. JOSEPH
MAX M. KAMPELMAN
3AM KANE
PHILIP M. KLUTZNICK
If this is indeed the case, we raise strenuous objections to this position. As we
SHILD KRUPP
SAMUEL N. MILLER
have stated in our letter to you in recent months, racism and anti-Semitism are-
BERNARO D. MINTZ
MILTON MOLLEN
-and have always been--central to the Nation of Islam's agenda, and it is highly
BEENARD NATH
ROBERT R. NATHAN
ANITA PERLMAN
inappropriate for the Department to fund contractual agreements with them
SIDNEY R. YATES
Vice-Chair
which include quasi-law enforcement responsibilities and such ancillary
National Executive Commin-
BARBARA BALJER
services as counselling.
Monorary Chailmen
Nations Executive Committee
DAVID A. ROSE
RONALD 8. 508EL
The horrendous nature of Nation of Islam bigotry was underscored only this
Transfer
ROBERT H. NATTALY
week, when Minister Louis Farrakhan, the group's leader, delivered a speech
Atoint Treasurer
STONEY JABESTW
[excerpts attached] laced with anti-Semitic conspiracy accusations to thousands
Honorary treasures
of his followers in Chicago. (For instance, he condemned "Jews who have
CHARLES COLORING
MOE KUDLER
been at the root of control of the banking system of the Federal Reserve.")
Secretary
IRVINC SHAPIRO
Presidem. B'Ail B'ith
It is difficult to believe that an organization with the Nation of Islam's record
KENT E. SCHINER
Executive Vice Provident
of bigotry and racism is an equal opportunity employer. Your apparent
B'nai 8'rth
SIDNEY CLEARFIELD
exoneration of the Nation of Islam raises questions as to the scope of your
President
B'asi 8'rill women
investigation and clearly sends the wrong message to the American people. It
SUSAN BRUCK
Action Director
suggests that an organization dedicated to spreading racism and division is a
I'M Brith Wamen
CAIL wexin
worthy recipient of their tax dollars.
ASSISTANT NATIONAL DIRECTORS
Development
The bottom line could not be more obvious--the government of the United
STUART TAUBER
From INTERNATIONAL Niain
States should not be in the business of providing legitimacy, approval, or
KENNSTH JACOBSON
encouragement to a hate group. Any other conclusion debases the very
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Chu Rights
concept of the civil rights movement and squanders the moral authority of our
KEFREY P. SINENSKY
nation.
Community Inke
ANN TOURK
Finance and Administration
BITSBLE ARBESTELD
We strongly urge you to reconsider your position on this matter.
Intersed Relations
CHARNEY Y. BROMBERG
Leadership
Assistant by the National Director
Sincerely,
MARK D. MEDIN
Marketing and Communications
MARK a IDELMAN
Washington Representative
amoham Frymon
HERS N. HORDES
Abraham H. Foxman
Control Coursei
National Director
ARHOLD FORSTER
Associate Certificate Coursel
NOTIN FINCER
03/28/95
Mr. Abramam H. Foxman
National Director
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith
823 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Dear Mr. Foxman:
Thank you for your recent March 1, 1995 letter expressing
the concerns of the Anti-Defamation League about private
contracts with the Nation of Islam for security services at
public and assisted housing facilities. Specifically, you voiced
concerns about a report in the Chicago Sun Times dated March of
your 1, 1995, which stated, among other things, that HUD's review
these contracts did not "indicate any widespread or systematic
problems' with the reviewed security firms. You indicated that
HUD's "apparent exoneration of the Nation of Islam raises
questions as to the scope of your investigation and clearly stated sends
the wrong message to the American People." Finally, you
that it was "difficult to believe that the Nation of Islam was an
equal opportunity employer." Allow me to address your concerns
and explain more precisely the status and results of our article. review,
which were not fully reported in the Chicago Sun Times
As you know, your letter predated my detailed testimony
before the Subcommittee on General Oversight and Investigations
on March 2, 1995. I hope, therefore, that the various points
discussed throughout my testimony answered some of your
questions. I have enclosed a copy for your records.
Let me start by reiterating that I, and HUD, condemn
intolerance and hatred and do not in any way support bigotry. I As
I have stated in the past and as I emphasized at the hearing,
vehement.y disagree with many of the views shared by Louis
Farrakhan. However, under the present state of the law, a local
housing provider cannot be prevented from entering into a service
contract merely because of the religious affiliation of the
firm's owner. Nevertheless, HUD conducted a review in order to
assure that the local housing providers and the security firms
identified were complying with civil rights laws.
Please be assured that HUD has not "exonerated" the Nation
of Islam. As I stated at the hearing on March 2, 1995, our
review, although thorough and detailed, was limited in scope.
The review focused on compliance with contract non-discrimination
2
provisions, contract performance, proselytizing or improper
religious recruitment, discrimination or harassment towards
residents, as well as any complaints and grievances that had been
filed against the security firms. The results of the nearly
1,000 interviews illustrated that there were no "widespread or
systematic" problems in the areas reviewed. The review, on the
other hand, could not address in any depth the issue of
employment discrimination as I shall explain more fully below.
To the extent that the facts have established some isolated
and/or short lived incidents of violations applicable to HUD
programs such as proselytizing on the housing sites, I can assure
you that HUD has taken immediate action to eliminate and correct
any such conduct identified in the review. In order to ensure
that public housing authorities and assisted providers are aware
of the civil right requirements that flow from receipt of federal
funds from HUD, we have sent a letter to each of the housing
providers involved advising and warning them that the failure to
assure compliance with civil rights requirements can result in
the initiation of administrative sanctions including declaration
of breach of the ACC or Regulatory Agreement, findings of non-
compliance with Title VI and/or Section 109, the issuance of
Limited Denial of Participation orders for HUD programs and
possible debarment from participation in Government contracting
programs.
With regard to the question of employment discrimination,
our review did not certify that the security firms identified
were "equal opportunity employers." We did note that our review
did not :reveal any complaints about employment discrimination on
the basis of race or gender by the security firms involved,
either from residents of the housing developments or from persons
otherwise alleging injury as a result of any alleged
discrimination. However, as I and Assistant Secretary Achtenberg
testified on March 2, 1995, we asked the Housing Authorities and
the three security firms, Citywide/New Life Self Development
Corp. Nation of Islam Security Agency, Inc., and X-Men Security,
Inc. as well as the Nation of Islam Community Support Group,
that they provide us with incorporation documents and employment
data. We have received no data as of today. While HUD's
jurisdiction to investigate the employment practices of firms
doing business with public housing authorities and private
housing providers is limited under Title VI, the Department is
taking skeps to see that the housing providers comply with their
contracts with HUD with respect to equal employment requirements.
After discussing this issue further with the Chairman of the
Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission (EEOC), we have
referred the matter of the firms' employment and hiring practices
to the EKOC for review pursuant to their jurisdiction over Title
3
VII. It was decided that the EEOC is the appropriate agency to
address the issue of employment practices.
Thank you for your support of the Department's action in
reviewing these contracts expressed in your January 19, 1995
letter and for sharing your concerns with us. I hope that I have
answered your questions, and feel free to contact me again if you
have any further comments. I am also sending a letter to Mr.
David Strassler who cosigned your previous letters to me.
Sincerely,
Henry Cisneros
CC:
Jess N. Hordes, ADL Washington Representative