Deuitch appointed to Human Rights post

Staff Writer

MICHIGAN CITY Mayor Ron Meer has appointed a new executive director of Michigan City Human Rights Commission: U.S. Army veteran and Michigan City native Jeff Deuitch. He replaces Angela Jackson, the commission's former director who resigned late last year.

"One of the biggest things when I retired from the military was that I wanted to give back to Michigan City," said Deuitch, a 1990 graduate of Elston High School.

After high school, Deuitch served in the Army for more than 22 years. He completed tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Korea; and has been awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal, amony other military awards.

He said he intends to use his military experiences to help him in his new role on the Human Rights Commission.

"The things I learned in the Army are honesty, integrity and hard work," he said.

As the commission's director, Deuitch will work closely with the community to ensure the fair treatment of all local residents. Some of his responsibilites will include investigating complaints of human rights violations and even to monitor the compliance of the city's hiring ordinance.

"The mayor is really pushing this to where we're out in the community and we're talking to people so that people know their rights," Deuitch said.

Meer reflected Tuesday on his decision to appoint Deuitch to the head of the Human Rights Commission.

"There's a big push across the United States as our veterans come back from overseas, from Afghanistan, to have some job opportunities for them," he said. "And for (Deuitch) to have this skill level and to have done this in the military for an entire batallion makes it, for me, a privilege and an honor to have him (as director)."

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Deuitch appointed to Human Rights post