Remembering Carl Auerbach: A Civil Rights Pioneer
Welcome to our latest post where we delve into the rich history of civil rights in the United States, focusing on the significant contributions of Professor Carl Auerbach. As we celebrate the 100th birthday of this remarkable individual, we reflect on his crucial role in the creation of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. His revolutionary compromise, which broke a deadlock in Congress, paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and helped shape the country’s legal landscape. Join us as we explore the story of this civil rights pioneer and his enduring legacy.
The United States Commission on Civil Rights acknowledges the invaluable contribution of Professor Carl Auerbach on his 100th birthday. His work was instrumental in the formation of the Commission.
The Impasse in Congress
During his 1956 State of the Union Address, Dwight D. Eisenhower called for the creation of a civil rights commission. Despite this call, the proposal reached an impasse in Congress due to disagreements over remedies law. Supporter’s of the bill were skeptical that a Southern jury would convict someone accused of violating a -on-bet” target=”_blank”> man’s voting rights. This resulted in a call for the elimination of jury trials for those accused of criminal contempt of an injunction issued pursuant to the Act. Others believed that jury trials should be preserved, even if it the Act less effective.
Carl Auerbach’s Pivotal Contribution
The deadlock was resolved owing to a proposal by Carl Auerbach – at that time a law professor at the University of Wisconsin, later a dean at the University of Minnesota, and subsequently a law professor at the University of San Diego. His law review article suggested a balanced approach: keep the jury trials in those criminal contempt proceedings where it would traditionally have been and introduce a provision permitting the court to impose civil sanctions for contempt. Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson embraced this idea, which led to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and the establishment of the Commission on Civil Rights.
In honour of his 100th birthday, we extend our deepest gratitude to Professor Auerbach for his significant contribution to the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and the creation of the Commission on Civil Rights.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency tasked with advising the and Congress on civil rights issues and generating a federal civil rights enforcement report. For more information about the Commission’s reports and meetings, please visit https://www.usccr.gov.
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