November 15, 2011 C4C VIA FACSIMILE (202) 690-7755

The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C) P.O. Box 142 Washington DC 20044

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 200 Independence Avenue, S. W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Secretary Sebelius: The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C) writes to support Arthuretta HolmesMartin in her employment discrimination and retaliation law suit (Arthuretta Holmes-Martin, Plaintiff v. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Defendant). The trial to be held at U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is scheduled for December 5, 2011. In support of Ms. Martin and her struggle for workplace dignity and justice, C4C members plan to be in attendance on December 5. The C4C is a public interest group established in 2008 to expose and eradicate employment discrimination in the Federal Government. The C4C also serves as an informational support network for past and present Federal employees injured as a result of workplace discrimination. This is why the Holmes-Martin law suit is of immense interest to our membership. On January 20, 2009, our members had HOPE that new cabinet secretaries serving in the new Obama administration would implement CHANGE in addressing, combating and holding Federal managers accountable for unlawful employment discrimination and retaliation in Federal employment. Furthermore, our members were hopeful that the new administrations cabinet secretaries would be more pro-active in resolving these complaints and law suits that had been unnecessarily prolonged for years by agency and U.S. Justice Department attorneys. We are troubled that the HolmesMartin case has been on-going for more than five years. Since our establishment, the C4C has stressed to the Congress, the news media and to American taxpayers that such law suits adversely affect the effectiveness and efficiency of government operations and programs. During this era of scarce resources and when a department such as yours is tasked with implementing so many critical initiatives such as the historic Affordable Care Act, critical agency time and resources have been expended during the past five years to battle Ms. Holmes-Martin at taxpayer expense. Furthermore, I noticed on the Departments website that one of your initiatives is to implement a Stop Bullying program. The C4C considers discrimination and reprisal for protected activities to be forms of workplace bullying. Finally, on the Departments website you state that the Departments goal is for all Americans to live healthier, more prosperous, and more productive lives. I am sure you would agree that employment discrimination practiced in the Federal workplace as well as reprisal undermine this goal.

Tanya Ward Jordan L.O.R., B, A., M.S. Founder

Philip Taylor B.A., M.P.A. President

Willie Berry, B.S. Treasurer

Michael Castelle, Sr. Diversity Chair

Milton Hill B.S., M.A., M.P.A. Outreach Chair

Ricardo Jones, Sr. EEO Chair

Diane Williams B.A., M.S., J.D. Legislative Research Chair

Cecil Paris PMP, B.S. Management and Organization Chair

Paulette Taylor A.A., B.A. Civil Rights Chair

www.coailtion4change.org C4C@coalition4change.org 1-866-737-9783

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius November 15, 2011 Page 2

During the past ten years studies have been released on the adverse effects of discrimination, reprisal and hostile work environments on the health of employees resulting from stress. This is why the C4C is disappointed that since you were sworn into office in mid-2009, there has been a lack of leadership from you in addressing the culture of discrimination and retaliation existing at HHS. We believe the Holmes-Martin case should have been addressed and resolved years ago and the responsible HHS managers held accountable for their unlawful practices and behavior. Thank you for your consideration of our position on this matter. Sincerely, | signed | Philip D. Taylor President Coalition for Change, Inc. (C4C)