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President Kennedy created the Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity which mandated projects funded with federal money has to ensure hiring practices are free from racial bias
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President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law
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President Lyndon B. Johnson enforces affirmative action in hiring practices
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There were a number of court cases that tested the constitutionality of affirmative action including Regents of the University California v. Bekke which maintained affirmative action should not come at the expense of the majority
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President Bill Clinton outlined guidance on affirmative action including eliminating the need for a quota in hiring and creating reverse discrimination
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The state of California introduced Proposition 209 that banned affirmation action in the state
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Washington State bans affirmative action
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The University of Michigan upheld Gratz v. Bollinger that maintained admission on the basis of race was constitutional just as admissions for children of alumni and athletes. However, the University of Michigan law school maintained acceptance on the basis of race was unconstitutional in Grutter v. Bollinger. The decision was reversed on appeal.
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The state of Florida banned race as a factor in college admissions
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Court cases and ballot measures continue to determine if affirmative action is constitutional and/or fair. Some suits claim reverse discrimination, including Ricci v. DeStefano (2009) that alleged the results from the lieutenant and captain exams were thrown out because not enough minorities qualified.