Melendez tapped by Reid for seat on U.S. Civil Rights Commission

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has tapped Nevadan Arlan Melendez for a vacant seat on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

Melendez, of Reno, has been chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony for 14 years. He would be just the second American Indian to serve on the eight-member panel.

The president appoints four members of the panel, which has four Republicans and four Democrats. Congress chooses the other four members, and Reid as Senate Democratic leader was entitled to one appointment.

Reid said Melendez was a vocal activist for Indians.

"I know he'll serve the commission well, and be just as strong an advocate for people around the country," Reid said in a news release.

The commission has mostly investigative power to probe allegations of voting rights violations, as well as the denial of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution for minorities. The panel also analyzes federal laws and policies, looking for discriminatory provisions.

The commission routinely submits findings to Congress and the White House. The panel has subpoena power to compel witnesses to appear at hearings, but without enforcement power, it refers many complaints to local, state and federal agencies.

The commission investigated racial bias allegations in the 2000 presidential election and vote recount. The commission in 2001 called for colleges and universities to cease using Indian team names and mascots, a controversial demand in the view of some sports fans.

Melendez is also the vice president of the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada and Western Region vice president of the National Congress of American Indians.