C4C August 11, 2011

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

VIA FACSIMILE (202) 225-3178

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

The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings United States House of Representatives 2235 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

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

Dear Representative Cummings:

Willie Berry, B.S. Treasurer

Michael Castelle, Sr. Diversity Chair

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

The Coalition For Change, Inc., (C4C) writes to request that you immediately take a more active role in addressing the problem of employment discrimination and retaliation at the Social Security Administration (SSA). With the SSA located in your congressional district and many of its employees living in your district, we are disappointed that you have not taken a more active role holding the Commissioner accountable for his agencys miserable civil rights record. The C4C believes Commissioner Michael J. Astrue has failed to provide the needed leadership to address workplace discrimination; he has failed to ensure that a fair and equitable work environment exists; and he has failed to hold SSA managers accountable for violating employees civil rights. Last week, the C4C contacted Commissioner Astrue to voice our concern that his agency is embroiled in three class action discrimination law suits. These three law suits involve African-American males, African-American females and disabled employees. As we stated in our August 4th, 2011 letter to Commissioner Astrue, it would not take an organizational development specialist, from any of Americas business schools, to conclude that the SSA is a very troubled organization. We do not believe that an agency besieged with this number of class action law suits can be effectively and efficiently accomplishing its mission and thereby serving the American taxpayer. The C4C is particularly disturbed by Commissioner Astrues record and by the many telephone calls and e-mails we have received from current and former SSA employees detailing blatant discriminatory and retaliatory conditions and practices at the SSA. It is apparent from these communiqus that there is a lack of confidence in Mr. Astrues ability to adequately and fairly address the problem of workplace discrimination at SSA. Although Mr. Astrue is more than half-way through his six year term, we do not believe he should be allowed to skate through the remaining months of his term.

Arthuretta Holmes-Martin B.S., M.S. Mental and Spiritual Well-Being Chair

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

Anthony Perry Communications Chair CIO Cert. B.A., B.B.A, M.S.

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

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

The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings August 11, 2011 page 2

The C4C fervently believes it is time to hold Mr. Astrue accountable for his deplorable stewardship of the SSA. We believe the discriminatory environment at SSA is ripe for an external investigation. In closing, the C4C urges you and your staff to give this matter prompt attention. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely, | signed | Philip D. Taylor President The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C)