David McGuire, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, has been appointed to the Connecticut State Advisory Committee of the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights. His two-year term began May 16.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with studying and advising the president and Congress on civil rights matters and issuing a federal civil rights enforcement report. State advisory committee members conduct reviews and produce reports and recommendations concerning local civil rights issues, including justice, voting, discrimination, housing and education.
Past Connecticut State Advisory Committee reports addressed closing the achievement gap in Connecticut public high schools and racial profiling.
"I'm honored by the appointment and excited about the work ahead of us," McGuire said. "It's an impressive committee with an important role to play."
McGuire joined the ACLU-CT in 2007 after graduating cum laude from Western New England University School of Law and clerking for the judges of the Connecticut Superior Court. His primary areas of legal interest are prisoner rights, privacy and free speech issues.
"I can't think of a better choice than David to take on this work," said Sandra Staub, legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut. "The expertise, skill and collaborative spirit he has employed so effectively for the ACLU will make him a valuable asset and contributor."
"David has done great work to protect the rights of people of Connecticut, particularly on privacy and police accountability issues," said Andrew Schneider, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut. "We continue to be proud of his great achievements."
The committee will meet for the first time in July to consider its plans and priorities. Alex A. Knopp, a law professor who has served as a state legislator and as mayor of Norwalk, will serve as chairman.
Thirteen other people were appointed to two-year terms. They are: Kashif Abdul-Karim of Hamden, Jay A. Bergman of Newington, Alok S. Bhatt of Hartford, Christine W. Corgel of Westport, John W. Herrington of South Windsor, Lilia N. Hrekul of Farmington, Meghann E. LaFountain of Middletown, Melanie S. Rausch of Bethany, David W. Reynolds of Torrington, John M. Tanski of Glastonbury, Yanil Teron of South Windsor, Stephanie A. Wainwright of Windsor Locks, and Olivia S. White of Essex.
