June 2, 2005

 

SENT BY FAX TO (701) 328-2205

 

Governor John Hoeven

Dept. 101

600 E. Boulevard Avenue

Bismarck, ND  58505-0001

 

 

RE:            Appointment of Labor Commissioner

 

 

Dear Governor Hoeven:

 

I am writing on behalf of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition to request consideration of the following suggestions in the appointment of the new Labor Commissioner, who will have oversight of the enforcement of the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

 

First, we congratulate Leann Bertsch on her new position, and convey our regret that she is leaving the Labor Commissioner position.  We hope that the new Commissioner will be as capable, accessible and energetic as Leann has been.

 

We suggest that consideration of the following qualities would be helpful for the new Labor Commissioner:

 

(1)       a legal background;

(2)       an understanding of the investigation and enforcement roles of the Labor Department (both for the state’s anti-discrimination laws as well as wage and hour laws);

(3)       a desire to enhance the education component of the Human Rights Division, including education to specific populations as well as the general public and potential respondents;

(4)       an awareness of issues specific to protected classes (for example, people of color, New Americans, people of differing religions, and people with disabilities);

(5)       sensitivity to cultural differences among specific populations.