Equality in Employment: The Urgent Need for H.R. 792, 1949-05-11

Item — Box: 172, Folder: 9

Identifier: CAC_CC_014_5_172_9_0008

Staff Only

Representative Helen Gahagan Douglas supports H.R. 792, the Fair Employment Practice Bill, which aims to prohibit discrimination in employment based on race, religion, color, national origin, or ancestry. She argues that this bill is not only a civil rights issue but also crucial for national defense, economic self-interest, and moral principles. Discrimination hinders economic progress and damages America's reputation globally. Douglas emphasizes the need for legislation to address increasing discrimination in employment, as evidenced by unemployment rates among non-Whites and job requests specifying "White only." Discrimination is pushing minority workers into lower-paying jobs, hindering their advancement. Douglas asserts that fair employment practices are not only a moral imperative but also essential for the nation's productivity and preservation of the free enterprise system.