Calling the problem of discrimination in the federal workforce "a festering sore that needs to be addressed," Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md., on Monday urged President Clinton to root out racism in the federal workplace.
"If we are serious about dealing with the problems of race in America, then the government must look in its own backyard--the federal workforce," Wynn told a crowd assembled on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Wynn's press conference, which included leaders of minority federal employee groups, was organized in response to Clinton's year-long race initiative, "One America." Wynn applauded the president's effort, but said Clinton must first "clean up" the government.
Wynn said there is an "appalling" lack of diversity in senior management positions in government. Although minorities account for 28.3 percent of the U.S. population, minorities make up only 13 percent of all GS-15 level employees and about 11 percent of all Senior Executive Service positions, he noted.
"It is . . . important that the senior management of the federal government also look like modern day America and reflect the true diversity of our country," Wynn said.
"The federal government has long welcomed minority workers at the bottom," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C. "The question is, will this government move black people up?"
Norton said she will reintroduce the Federal Employee Fairness Act, a bill which seeks to improve the effectiveness of administrative review of employment discrimination claims by federal employees. She also called for an increase in appropriations for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Wynn, who stressed that the press conference should not serve as a "passing indictment of the federal government," encouraged minority federal workers in attendance to band together and start dialogues at their agencies.
He also suggested that Clinton hold Cabinet and agency heads accountable for diversity in their organizations and the reduction of EEO backlogs. He said sanctions should be placed on supervisors found to have engaged in or tolerated discrimination.
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