The top two members on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission resigned on Tuesday after President Bush named their replacements.

Chairwoman Mary Frances Berry, an independent, ran the agency for more than two decades. She was a critic of the Bush administration but also found fault with former presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Under her leadership, the commission issued two crucial reports about federal funding and health care in Indian Country. Tribal leaders and some members of Congress have cited the reports in efforts to secure more funds for Indian programs.

Also resigning yesterday was Vice Chairman Cruz Reynoso, a Democrat.

Bush has named Gerald A. Reynolds, former assistant secretary for the office of civil rights in the Education Department, and lawyer Ashley L. Taylor to the commission. He plans to designate Reynolds as chairman and Abigail Thernstrom, who already sits on the panel, as vice chairman.

Get the Story:
Top Two Commissioners Resign From Civil Rights Panel (AP 12/8)
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Adviser on Civil Rights Quits, Declining Legal Fight for Job (The New York Times 12/8)
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Indian Country Reports:
Broken Promises: Evaluating the Native American Health Care System (July 2004) | A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country (July 2003)

Relevant Links:
United States Commission on Civil Rights - http://www.usccr.gov

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Bush appoints new head of Civil Rights Commission (12/7)
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Editorial: U.S. failing to provide Indian health care (08/30)
Navajos turn out for civil rights commission hearing (05/03)
Civil rights panel to hold hearing in Farmington (04/29)
Report documents unmet needs in Indian Country (7/23)