Civil+Rights+Act+(1957)

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 signed into Law on September 9th, 1957, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Legislation created the six-member U.S. Civil Rights Commission, intended to investigate claims that African Americans were denied their right to vote. Divided into 5 Parts, each with sub-sections detailing the finer points of the legislation, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was passed due to widespread harassment of blacks by people who were not state officials, and so had immunity to prosecution under existing federal civil rights statutes.

 Part I focuses on the creation of a Commission on Civil Rights in the Executive Branch of Government, and detailing its powers. The Commission is composed of six members, all of which are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. No more than three members of the Commission can be of the same political party. The Commission is opened by the Chairman, appointed by the President, or a member chosen by the Chairman to act as him. Members of the Commission receive $50 a day. The Commission’s main duty is to ensure that all citizens of the United States are able to enact their right to vote, and shall not be discriminated against based on their skin color.

 Part II provides the Attorney General with an additional assistant. The Assistant shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The assistant shall aid the Attorney General in his or her duties, and is paid at the rate prescribed by law for other Assistant Attorney Generals.

 Part III strengthens the Civil Rights Statutes. It makes amendments to the wording of Section 1343 of title 28, United States Code. Section 1989 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1993) was also repealed.

 Part IV further secures and protects the right to vote. It amends Section 2004 of the Revised statutes (42 U.S.C. 1971), including changing the catch line to “Voting Rights,” adds sub-parts (b) through (e), changing the current body of text to sub-part (a).

 Part V provides Trial by Jury for proceedings to punish criminal contempt of Court growing out of Civil Rights cases and to amend the Judicial Code relating to the Federal Jury Qualifications. Under cases of criminal contempt, arising under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the accused, if convicted, may be punished by imprisonment, a fine, or both; however, the fine shall not exceed $1000, and imprisonment shall not exceed 6 months. Part V also makes amendments to Section 1861, title 28, of the United States Code. ([|1])(For all)

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