Introduction of Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors Appointments

INTRODUCTION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION BOARD OF ADVISORS APPOINTMENTS-HON. JOHN B. LARSON (Extensions of Remarks - February 26, 2004)

HON. JOHN B. LARSON
OF CONNECTICUT
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2004

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize two outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to encouraging all Americans to participate in our government through the voting process. Under the authority granted to me by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), I have appointed two election experts, Joseph F. Crangle of Buffalo, NY and Hilary O. Shelton of Washington, DC, to serve as national voting procedure advisors to continue improving the election process in the wake of the 2000 elections.

HAVA established a four-person body called the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). I
am appointing Mr. Crangle and Mr. Shelton to the Board of Advisors, which will serve essentially as the EAC's board of directors. The board consists of 37 members representing a range of groups involved in elections.

I am very confident that with their decades of election experience and dedication to the voting process, Joseph Crangle and Hilary Shelton will have a tremendous impact on the EAC. It is my hope that they and the other 35 members of the board will examine the many issues involved in administering fair and accurate elections in this country, including the concerns that have been raised regarding the security and reliability of electronic voting systems.

I am grateful for the advice of my colleague from New York, Representative CHARLIE RANGEL, who informed me about Mr. Crangle's decades of experience and dedication to the election process. It is truly an honor for me to appoint him for this position.

Joseph Crangle served as chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party from 1965 to 1988; as chair of the New York State Democratic Party from 1971 to 1974; as a delegate to every Democratic National Committee from 1968 to 1992; and as a member of the Democratic National Committee's Executive Committee from 1972 to 1988. Mr. Crangle is regarded as one of the leading experts in the country on voter registration and "get-out-the-vote" programs. He is an attorney for the law firm of Colucci and Gallaher, P.C. in Buffalo, NY.

Hilary Shelton's commitment to improving our election system was evident during the development of the Help America Vote Act. He worked tirelessly during the entire legislative process to ensure that this bill became law.
Mr. Shelton is the Director of the Washington Bureau of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Prior to working for the NAACP, he was the Federal Liaison Assistant Director of the Government Affairs Department of The United Negro College Fund. In addition, he worked for the 9.5 million member United Methodist Church advocating on numerous public policy issues including civil rights, access to higher education, and voting rights. He serves on the national boards of directors for the Center for Democratic Renewal, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the U.S. Census Advisory Board.

Members of the Board of Advisors serve a 2-year term in a strictly advisory capacity; they have no rule-making authority. Once all the appointments have been made and the EAC is fully functional, the board will begin its duties.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Mr. Crangle and Mr. Shelton as they begin their positions on the Board of Advisors. They are truly two of the best advocates in the country for our election process. I am confident that future generations of voters will be inspired to make their voices heard, because of the contributions of these two remarkable Americans.