The Congress must give early attention to a number of important bills which remain.  These bills would: 

—­strengthen the laws against discrimination in housing.  Until it is enacted, the 1968 Civil Rights Act’s promise of equal access to housing will remain unfulfilled;

—­establish a charter for the FBI and the intelligence agencies.  The failure to define in law the duties and responsibilities of these agencies has made possible some of the abuses which have occurred in recent years;

—­establish privacy safeguards for medical research, bank, insurance, and credit records; and provide special protection for election fund transfer systems.

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

I remain committed as strongly as possible to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

As a result of our efforts in 1978, the Equal Rights Amendment’s deadline for ratification was extended for three years.  We have now one year and three States left.  We cannot afford any delay in marshalling our resources and efforts to obtain the ratification of those three additional States.

Although the Congress has no official role in the ratification process at this point, you do have the ability to affect public opinion and the support of State Legislators for the Amendment.  I urge Members from States which have not yet ratified the Equal Rights Amendment to use their influence to secure ratification.  I will continue my own efforts to help ensure ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Martin Luther king, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led this Nation’s effort to provide all its citizens with civil rights and equal opportunities.  His commitment to human rights, peace and non-violence stands as a monument to his humanity and courage.  As one of our Nation’s most outstanding leaders, it is appropriate that his birthday be commemorated as a national holiday.  I hope the Congress will enact legislation this year that will achieve this goal.

FAIR HOUSING

The Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1980 passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan majority only to die in the Senate at the close of the 96th Congress.  The leaders of both parties have pledged to make the enactment of fair housing legislation a top priority of the incoming Congress.  The need is pressing and a strengthened federal enforcement effort must be the primary method of resolution.

CRIMINAL CODE

The Federal criminal laws are often archaic, frequently contradictory and imprecise, and clearly in need of revision and codification.  The new Administration should continue the work which has been begun to develop a Federal criminal code which simplifies and clarifies our criminal laws, while maintaining our basic civil liberties and protections.