Chandra Law Firm Managing Partner Subodh Chandra was appointed today to serve on the Ohio Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to advise the Commission on shaping federal voting-rights and civil-rights policy," Chandra said.

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 created the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Established as an independent, bipartisan, fact-finding federal agency, the Commission's mission is to inform the development of national civil-rights policy and enhance enforcement of federal civil-rights laws. The Commission pursues this mission by studying alleged deprivations of voting rights and alleged discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration of justice. It plays a vital role in advancing civil rights through objective and comprehensive investigation, research, and analysis on issues of fundamental concern to the federal government and the public.

The Commission maintains 51 State Advisory Committees (SACs), one for each state and the District of Columbia. Each is composed of citizen volunteers familiar with local and state civil-rights issues. The members assist the Commission with its fact-finding, investigative, and information-dissemination functions.

Commissioners are responsible for appointments to the advisory committees. The term of service for a committee member is two years, although members can be reappointed.