First page of the Special Committee's report, July 16, 1956. (Florida State University Heritage & University Archives, HUA 2018-062, Florida State University Office of the President: Doak Campbell Administrative Files, 1941-1957. Folder 30, item 14)
In response to increased judiciary pressure and heightened racial tensions, Governor LeRoy Collins ordered the formation of a special committee to investigate and propose solutions to racial issues in Florida. The committee was headed by Judge L.L. Fabisinski of Pensacola.The image to the left is the cover page of the Special Committee's initial report, which includes legislative recommendations that expand the governor's powers and enact the Pupil Assignment Law (see more in on the next page of this exhibit). A copy of the full report is provided below.
A Report of the Special Committee, July 16, 1956. (Florida State University Heritage & University Archives, HUA 2018-062, Florida State University Office of the President: Doak Campbell Administrative Files, 1941-1957. Folder 30, item 14)
The Special Committee later evolved into the Governor's Advisory Committee on Race Relations, also known as the Fabisinski Committee. As before, the premise of the Committee (sometimes called the Commission) was to mitigate the effects of the Supreme Court's decision on segregation. The document below is a draft of the bill that created the Committee and outlined its objectives.
A draft of the bill that created the Governor's Advisory Committee on Race Relations. (Florida State University Heritage & University Archives, HUA 2018-062, Florida State University Office of the President: Doak Campbell Administrative Files, 1941-1957. Folder 31, item 11)
FSU President Doak Campbell was a member of the Advisory Committee. This letter from Fabisinski to Campbell mentions an "emergency at Tallahassee," which might refer to either the Tallahassee Bus Boycott or the expulsion of John Boardman.
Letter from Fabisinski to Campbell concerning an "emergency at Tallahassee." (Florida State University Heritage & University Archives, HUA 2018-062, Florida State University Office of the President: Doak Campbell Administrative Files, 1941-1957. Folder 30, item 3).
One duty of the Committee was to create an emergency operating procedure, or "mode of operation" in case of racial upheaval or civil unrest. The document below includes the full list of procedures. These were then combined with a list of emergency contacts, listed by county, and distributed to key personnel across Florida, including the presidents of each Florida university.
Early draft of the "Mode of Operation" emergency proceedures developed by the Fabisinski Committee in case of civil unrest in Florida. (Florida State University Heritage & University Archives, HUA 2018-062, Florida State University Office of the President: Doak Campbell Administrative Files, 1941-1957. Folder 31, item 19)
The committee was also concerned with renewed efforts towards black public works. This letter to Fabisinski from Joe Grotegut, the governor's administrative assistant, details issues of interest for the Committee. These included quietly improving black public restroom facilities and cooperating in the establishment of a "Negro beach" in Sarasota.
Letter from Grotegut to the Fabisimski Committee concerning public spaces for black Florida citizens. (Florida State University Heritage & University Archives, HUA 2018-062, Florida State University Office of the President: Doak Campbell Administrative Files, 1941-1957. Folder 30, item 7)
