COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS

EDWARD G. RENDELL SONYA M. TOLER

GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

July 16, 2009

Honorable Loretta King

Office of the Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
Washington, DC 20530
Via Facsimile

Dear Acting Assistant Attorney General King:

As Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs

(GACAAA) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am respectfully submitting this letter
supporting a full investigation by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice of the
incident that recently took place at The Huntingdon Valley Swim Club outside of Philadelphia,
PA. It is our opinion that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is implicated and a review by the Civil
Rights Division of the Department of Justice is warranted.
GACAAA is committed to assisting African Americans in gaining full access to all opportunities
afforded to the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Commission members are dedicated to
working with the Governor, his staff and all sincere Pennsylvanians who share a belief in the
concepts of equal justice, opportunity and equality for all of our citizens. The Commission is
solution-oriented and committed to creating the necessary linkages, both private and public, to
assure inclusion of African Americans at all levels within the Commonwealth. As such we are
deeply troubled and concerned about the incident that took place and believe that, in addition to
the investigation underway by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Committee, federal
investigation is also warranted.
If an investigation shows that the actions ofthe swim club were discriminatory, we would want to
see appropriate action taken for violating federal law.

siutOrelY~
Son#M. Toler
Executive Director

Cc: The Honorable Eric Holder

Suszanne Campbell
Andrea Bowman

ROOM 506 FINANCE BUILDING-HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120-1005

TELEPHONE: 717-772-5085 TOLL FREE: 1-877-374-0222 FAX: 717-787-4015

www.AfricanAm.State.pa.us