The Commission hearings will look at the impact of the ending of parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  The Commission’s inaugural hearing will occur on Friday, March 11, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. in Montgomery, Alabama at the Freewill Baptist Church located on 1724 Hill Street.  The privately organized Commission will hold a series of regional hearings across the country to gather testimony and evidence that will be used to create a comprehensive record on the degree of racial discrimination in voting and the impact of the VRA since 1982. The Commission will issue a report at the end of the yearlong series that will be used by policymakers, voting rights advocates, and the public.  Click here to read the full press release.