Peter Minarik, Southern Regional Director for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, announced on Monday the selection of Dr. Bernie Miller as Chairman of the Tennessee Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Dr. Miller is the founding Pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church. He was formerly chairman of the Chattanooga Housing Authority, and is currently vice-chairman of the Census Bureau’s African American Advisory Committee.
“This is, without question, a blessing to me to have been selected to serve on the committee that advises the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. It is also an honor to follow in the footsteps of former committee member and friend, Rev. Sam Billy Kyles, a Civil Rights icon whom I’ve known for over 30 years,” said Dr. Miller. “The Civil Rights movement is near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately, the civil rights movement is generally referred to in the past tense. Many believe the movement died with Dr. King. I do not embrace that view. To me, the civil rights movement is an eternal flame that still burns today. I’m looking forward to our committee being the light that exposes injustices while working together to solve critical issues that affect the rights of all persons. We have a distinguish group of citizens serving with me from Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee.”
Serving along with Dr. Miller are, Tiffany Cox, Tennessee Department of Education; Amber Gooding, Tennessee Human Rights Commission; Gregory Grisham, Weitraub, Stock & Grisham; Dorothy Jones; Carol Swain, Vanderbilt University; Vicki Lott; Josh Thomas, office of U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander; Eliud Trevino, El Crucero; Susan Williams, Highlander Research and Education Center; and Tom Edd Wilson, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.