Correspondence from Lani Guinier to Frank Parker, Esq. (Voting Rights Project)

    Lesa,EerenseH. NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC.

99 Hudson Street, New york, N.y. 10019 o (212) 219_1900

April L, L987

Frank R. Parker, Esq.
Director, Voting Rights Project
Suite 4OO
l-4OO Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dear Frank:

Thank you for your letter of March 2s, L9B7 reguesting that the
Lawyers' committee for civir Rights under Law be granted
representation on the steering committee of the Campaign for FuII
Participation and be considered a full member of that coalition.
I understand your letter $ras prompted by an inference drawn
from a mailing from Linda Davidoff that apparently suggested that
you were not a member of the coalition.
r have not seen the nailing to which you refer, but on behatf of
the steering committee, I apologize for any misunderstandings it
may have precipitated about your rore in the voting rights
movement. The Lawyers' committee certainty has been, and
continues to be, an integral part of any meaningful effort to
open up the political process. The Campaign for FulI Political
Participation is simply a shorthand way of referring to an
effort, that incrudes the Lawyers'committee, to continue the
networking and information sharing that peaked in the Spring and
Summer of 1984 when both litigation groups and activists made a
concerted effort to invorve as many unrepresented people aspossible in the 1984 elections. The Lawyers' Committee v/as apart of that effort and, I hope, will continue to be a fuIIpartner in the coalition.
The steering committee is a smaller group within the coalition
that meets bimonthly. The steering committee, which grev/ out of
a meeting in September 1985, was constituted as a sma1I,
representational body. Each of the branches of the voting rights
reform effort (litigation, Iegislation, executive orders and
other administrative initiatives, and activism) have one
representative on the committee. In addition, some steering
committee members represent major racial, ethnic or philosophical
approaches to the problern. There are a total of nine people on
the committee. We will probably reconsider the composition of
the steering committee at the October 22-24 conference in San
Antonio. If you are willing to assume the responsibility of

Contribulions are tleductihlt tor lI.S. ineome tax purpos?s

TheNAACPLegalDelense&EducationalFund,lnc (LDF)isnotpartoltheNationalAssociationlortheAdvancementofColoredPeople(NAACP)although
LDF was lounded by the NAACPand shares ils commitment lo equal rights. LDF has had lor over 25 years a separate 8oard, pro0ram, statl, otlice and budget.



Frank Parker, Esq. 2 April 1, L9B7

representing the litigation agenda on the committee, pleasevolunteer your setrrices at the october conference. We-vit1 bepleased to consider your generous offer at that time.
rn the meantime, your wirlingness to work on congressionalIegislation to open up the registration process will Ue centralto a successful outcome.

r look forward to seeing you in october, if not before. And,againr. r regret any miscommunication that may have faired t;recognize the important contribution to this area by your
organization.

elY,

Guinier

TE/R

CC: Linda Davidoff, Esq.
William L. Robinson, Esq.

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