Executive Order No. 11246

From Equality Talk Wiki

President Lyndon B. Johnson's order requiring federal contractors to take certain race-neutral steps including outreach to ensure greater opportunity for minorities.

The language uses the same operational phrase as Kennedy's "affirmative steps" requirement that contractors treat employees "without regard to race" - but LBJ's order is considered to have been the operational father of "affirmative action". A key statement in the order is:

"The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin."

A full description of this order can be found at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website here.