Council of Federal EEO and Civil Rights Executives

April 16, 1999

Ms. Janice R. Lachance
Director
Office of Personnel Management
Theodore Roosevelt Federal Bldg.
Room 5305
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415

Dear Ms. Lachance:

We have been informed that Mr. Armando Rodriguez, one of our
members, has been removed as Director of the Office of Personnel
Management's Diversity Office on April 13, 1999, and permanently
reassigned to the position of Assistant Director of the Washington
Service Center, Employment Information Office. This is of great concern
to us, considering that Mr. Rodriguez has demonstrated superb
leadership in his position. We respectfully request that you reconsider
your decision, and reinstate Mr. Rodriguez to the Diversity Office
immediately, where he has faithfully executed President Clinton's
mandate to make the federal workforce look like the face of America.

Under his able direction, the Diversity Office has demonstrated policy
leadership and direction to help agencies recruit and retain a diverse
workforce. In addition to producing a number of new, innovative, and
user-friendly products for a wide group of users, the Diversity Office
has remained sensitive to the needs of all minority and women groups.

While it would be impossible to name, in this letter, all the contributions
that Mr. Rodriguez and his staff have made in the past, the following is a
representative sample: developed and published statistical profiles on
veterans, minorities, women and people with disabilities; heightened
awareness regarding the use of special appointment authorities and
training programs to improve the employment and career opportunities of
minorities and women; developed a Hispanic Nine-Point Employment
Initiative to improve the representation and advancement of Hispanics in
the Federal workforce; and pioneered the touch-screen computer kiosk
program to expand the access to Federal employment opportunities to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic
Serving Institutions (HSIs).

Leadership as practiced by Mr. Rodriguez is rare nowadays. He has
played a key role in getting agencies to comply with Congressional
directives and executive orders by always lending a helping hand.
When agencies needed his talent to give a presentation on some
important initiative, he always accommodated their requests. It is
precisely this willingness to be a team player and lead by example that
has earned Mr. Rodriguez the respect and admiration of his colleagues in
the federal sector.

To return Mr. Rodriguez to the Diversity Office would demonstrate once
again your deep commitment to the recruitment, employment and
advancement of minorities and women. By the same token, EEO and Civil
Rights Offices would feel that they had an able leader to steer them
during a time when affirmative action and diversity programs are under
constant attack in the federal sector.

If you need to communicate with me, you may reach me at (703)
607-1976, or in writing at the Department of the Army, Crystal Mall #4,
Rm. 207, 1941 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202-4508.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

            Sincerely,

            Luther Santiful
                    President
                   
   
cc: The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard
Chairwoman, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
2435 Rayburn Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515-0533