William Lucas

Democratic Party Chairman Ron Brown, obviously relishing the prospect of the Rev. Jesse Jackson running for mayor of Washington next year, Wednesday suggested that it would be good for Jackson, Washington and the Democratic Party if he makes the race. As Brown sees it, the civil rights leader would be a shoo-in for election and would be well equipped to deal with the problems of drugs and violence plaguing Washington. Moreover, as mayor, Jackson, a polarizing force in the 1988 Democratic presidential race, would be effectively removing himself as a potential candidate for the party's nomination in 1992, according to Brown.

The Justice Department paid William Lucas, its failed nominee to head the civil-rights division, more than $36,000 to prepare a 32-page report on how the department could improve coordination of its civil-rights efforts with states, local governments and outside groups, according to recently released documents.

William Lucas is working for the Justice Department as a $284-a-day consultant while awaiting Senate confirmation as assistant attorney general for civil rights, the department reported Friday. Lucas, whose nomination is opposed by some civil rights groups who question his qualifications, is studying the department's role in training law enforcement officials to be sensitive about civil rights issues and report potential violations, spokesman David Runkel said. The consulting agreement, which took effect March 20, is a common arrangement for Bush Administration officials awaiting Senate action on their nominations, Runkel said.

Let's face it, the nomination by President George Bush of William Lucas to be our chief civil rights enforcer was yet another dirty trick, on ground level with candidate George Bush's loaded statement that Michael Dukakis is a "card-carrying" member of the American Civil Liberties Union. The appointment of a black man, as Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) noted, appears to have been cynically designed to entrap the vote of embarrassed ex-segregationists in general and Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.

The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed until next week a vote on whether William Lucas should head the Justice Department's civil rights agency so that a key member, Sen. Howell Heflin (D-Ala.), could study new material. Heflin, considered a pivotal vote, did not say what the new material was, and committee workers involved with the nomination declined to comment. Republican members tried to force a vote so that the nomination could be brought to the full Senate before Congress' Aug.

William Lucas, nominated to be assistant attorney general for civil rights, gave inaccurate answers on a sworn application to the New York bar, the Justice Department acknowledged. Department spokeswoman Deborah Burstion-Wade confirmed that the Michigan Republican failed to state on the New York form in 1981 that he had once failed the District of Columbia bar exam. His application to New York was successful.

Let's face it, the nomination by President George Bush of William Lucas to be our chief civil rights enforcer was yet another dirty trick, on ground level with candidate George Bush's loaded statement that Michael Dukakis is a "card-carrying" member of the American Civil Liberties Union. The appointment of a black man, as Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) noted, appears to have been cynically designed to entrap the vote of embarrassed ex-segregationists in general and Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.

William Lucas, Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh's candidate to head the Justice Department's civil rights division, has won a vote of support from the board of the Urban League's Detroit chapter. The Detroit board of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People had voted to oppose him. All but two of about 30 members of the Urban League's 45-member board attending a meeting Wednesday night voted to support Lucas' anticipated nomination, according to N. Charles Anderson, the chapter's president.

President Bush announced Tuesday that he will nominate William Lucas, a black lawyer who has been criticized by some leading civil rights organizations, to head the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Lucas, former sheriff and chief executive of Michigan's Wayne County, which includes Detroit, has a background in law enforcement but virtually no experience with federal civil rights laws. His background has led the NAACP, among other groups, to oppose his nomination. White House officials, however, have dismissed the opposition, suggesting that it is motivated primarily by partisanship.

The Justice Department paid William Lucas, its failed nominee to head the civil-rights division, more than $36,000 to prepare a 32-page report on how the department could improve coordination of its civil-rights efforts with states, local governments and outside groups, according to recently released documents.

The Los Angeles City Council should immediately demand a disclosure of the procedures followed by the city attorney in the investigation by his office of the Bradley-Far East National Bank dealings.

The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed until next week a vote on whether William Lucas should head the Justice Department's civil rights agency so that a key member, Sen. Howell Heflin (D-Ala.), could study new material. Heflin, considered a pivotal vote, did not say what the new material was, and committee workers involved with the nomination declined to comment. Republican members tried to force a vote so that the nomination could be brought to the full Senate before Congress' Aug.

The fight over the nomination of William Lucas to head the Justice Department's civil rights division sounds like a debate over affirmative action--but with the roles reversed. The Bush Administration and conservative Republican senators, usually foes of using race as a factor in employment decisions, say the fact that Lucas is black makes him a particularly good choice for the post.

Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh's chief spokesman warned civil rights groups Friday that they are jeopardizing "a cordial relationship" with the attorney general by opposing the confirmation of William Lucas as the nation's chief civil rights enforcer. In another hardball response to Lucas' mounting difficulties, the spokesman, David Runkel, also accused Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.

In a dramatic development that threatens William Lucas' nomination as the government's chief civil rights enforcer, Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) Thursday withdrew his endorsement a day after introducing Lucas to the Senate Judiciary Committee with warm praise. Conyers told a hushed session of the panel that he was taking the unusual action with "a slightly heavy heart" because of Lucas' hands-off position on recent Supreme Court rulings that civil rights leaders regard as disastrous setbacks.

A Senate opponent of William Lucas' nomination to be the nation's chief civil rights enforcer questioned his respect for the law Wednesday, citing a 1985 incident in which Lucas and family members tried to conceal $8,800 worth of jewelry and clothing from U.S. Customs Service agents when returning from a trip abroad. "How do we know there will be a new Mr. Lucas if and when you're confirmed?" asked Sen. Howard M.

Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh's chief spokesman warned civil rights groups Friday that they are jeopardizing "a cordial relationship" with the attorney general by opposing the confirmation of William Lucas as the nation's chief civil rights enforcer. In another hardball response to Lucas' mounting difficulties, the spokesman, David Runkel, also accused Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.

William Lucas, nominated to be assistant attorney general for civil rights, gave inaccurate answers on a sworn application to the New York bar, the Justice Department acknowledged. Department spokeswoman Deborah Burstion-Wade confirmed that the Michigan Republican failed to state on the New York form in 1981 that he had once failed the District of Columbia bar exam. His application to New York was successful.