Reading Room Document

Application of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to school‐lunch and other food‐ distribution programs.

The document discusses the application of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to school lunch and other food distribution programs. It explores whether the Department of Agriculture has the authority to terminate assistance to institutions that discriminate on the basis of race in their admission policies. The document concludes that such action would be legally authorized, but recommends amending the regulations to clarify the implications. It also raises questions about the inconsistency of enforcing the requirement against private institutions but not public schools, and the need for clarity in the regulations regarding discriminatory admission policies. The document concludes that the Department of Agriculture may legally terminate assistance to institutions that discriminate on the basis of race in their admission policies. It raises questions about the inconsistency of enforcing the requirement against private institutions but not public schools, and the need for clarity in the regulations regarding discriminatory admission policies. The document also discusses the conflicting statements in Congressional debates about the termination of school lunch assistance to segregated schools, and the need for consistency in enforcing the requirements of Title VI.

November 18, 1965