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Florida Commission On Human Relations Turns 50

State Library & Archives of Florida/Florida Memory

Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Florida Commission on Human Relations, which was created by the legislature to prevent discrimination in things like housing and employment. Ryan Dailey spoke with Representative Geraldine Thompson, who prior to being a legislator served on and at one time chaired the Commission.

The Commission was created by the Florida legislature following the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That’s when states were tasked with addressing continuing discrimination.

Thompson says over the years, funding for the Commission has been cut. Though, she says Governor DeSantis has made a commitment to restoring resources the Commission needs.

Ryan Dailey is a reporter/producer for WFSU/Florida Public Radio. After graduating from Florida State University, Ryan went into print journalism working for the Tallahassee Democrat for five years. At the Democrat, he worked as a copy editor, general assignment and K-12 education reporter.