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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2001

The Bush administration has withdrawn its support of a civil rights lawsuit challenging a physical health test as gender-biased.

At the urging of Ralph Boyd Jr., the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, the Justice Department has dropped its support of the case. The Clinton administration had joined an appeal to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

The case centers on a woman ho failed a an aerobics test used by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to qualify its police force. The woman said the test was too rigorous but Justice now says it is necessary to ensure public health and safety.

No other state, local or federal law enforcement agency uses such a rigorous test, however. A reported 93 percent of female applicants have failed the test.

Get the Story:
Justice Dept. Bows Out Of a Civil Rights Case (The Washington Post 10/2)