The Tompkins County Commission on Human Rights was established in 1964. At its second meeting, its chairperson, Corinne Galvin, suggested that a survey committee be formed. The Commission decided to focus the first survey on local race relations. The Survey Committee surveyed 87 randomly selected African American families in Tompkins County in December 1964-January 1965, on the topics of housing; employment; education; and recreation, public facilities, and community organizations. The Commission also discussed the survey's findings and interpretation with people in key positions in the fields covered by the survey.