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Jewish Congress Proposes Stronger Federal Role in Fighting Bigotry

January 20, 1959
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A stronger federal role in fighting segregation and discrimination was proposed here yesterday by the American Jewish Congress. The organization called on President Eisenhower to resist what it termed a “defeatist” attitude toward civil rights legislation and urged him to support a program “to help make the promise of equality come true for every American.”

The action, taken at the close of a two-day meeting of the AJC national executive and administrative committees, called for enactment of legislation that would, among other things, make it a Federal crime to transport explosives across state lines for the purpose of criminally destroying homes as well as institutions. It also urged the extension of the life of the Federal Civil Rights Commission two years beyond its original term, and the blocking of Federal mortgage guarantees or other assistances to any builder or developer who restricts occupancy or ownership on grounds of race, religion or national origin.

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