A measure barring discrimination in public employment and in firms holding public contracts entered into the law of Arizona today following signature of the Equal Employment Opportunities Act by Gov. McFarland.
The new law bans racial, religious or national origins discrimination by the state, counties, cities and schools. Firms holding public contracts of more than $1,000 are required to write into their contracts a pledge of non-discrimination in hiring, firing and upgrading. Violation of the law is made a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of $500.
The new law, the first such measure on the books in Arizona, was pressed by the Arizona Council for Civic Unity and was supported by the Phoenix Jewish Community Council. Jewish members of the Legislature, Reps, Sidney Kartus of Phoenix and Harry Ackerman of Tucson, and State Senator Harold Giss of Yuma, played prominent roles in the debates which preceded passage of the measure in both houses.
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