As agricultural surpluses reappeared in the 1950s, Congress considered legislation to reinstate a food stamp program.  A pilot food stamp program was started under President Kennedy in 1961 and made permanent with the passage of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 under President Johnson. The stated purpose was "to raise levels of nutrition among low-income households," and "to promote the distribution in a beneficial manner of our agricultural abundance."

In 1961, the anniversaries of 2 significant Wisconsin firsts were marked: the 25^th anniversary of the payment by the state of Wisconsin of the first unemployment compensation check and the 50^th anniversary of the enactment of the first modern state Workmen's Compensation act. On August 31, 1961 in ceremonies hosted by President John F. Kennedy on the south lawn of the White House, the Wisconsin Worker's Compensation law was commemorated with a 4-cent stamp to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of its enactment as the first worker's compensation law in the nation.

Text of President Kennedy's speech.

Larger picture of President Kennedy
  

President John F. Kennedy

WC Commemorative Stamps

Additional Commissioner:
  George W. Otto (1963-65)
  

Open housing law was passed, and guaranteed all persons equal opportunity for housing, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, or ancestry.

The Governor's Commission on Human Rights was merged into the new department's Equal Opportunities Division. The State Equal Rights Council also was created, and migrant labor camp regulations was transferred from the State Board of Health to DILHR's Safety and Buildings Division.

The Equal Rights Council was given the responsibility to hear racial discrimination complaints in light of federal civil rights legislation.

In 1967, the new Department moved to its new location at the Hill Farms State Office Building. There were 1353 employees and a budget of $7.4 million.
  

DILHR Job Mobile Unit

The Governor issued an executive order requiring the employment of apprentices on state or state-assisted construction contracts.

The requirement for curb ramping were added to municipal law for state statutes. This was a major change that enabled people with mobility limitation to achieve much more independence.
  

Additional Commissioners:
  Phillip W. Lerman (1971-75)
  John C. Zinos (1971-77)

Apprenticeship Division begins requiring  affirmative action and hiring goals for minorities for all apprentice employers.
  

In November, DILHR moved to its present headquarters at 201 East Washington Avenue.

The U.S. Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

  Provides legal support for non-discrimination.
  Creates the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
  Creates Client Assistance Programs.

U.S. Comprehensive Employment & Training Act (CETA).
  

Wisconsin became the first state in the country to create an Office of Refugee Services to coordinate state services for refugees.

DILHR created a Native American Initiative to provide better employment services to Indian Reservations and urban Indians living in Milwaukee. (1975-1977)

U.S. created the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement to oversee program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

Additional Commissioner:
  Virginia A. Hart (1975-77)
  

Women Fire Fighters
  

Manpower Services Division formed in DILHR to administer programs under CETA, the U.S. Comprehensive Employment & Training Act.

Congress reenacted the Food Stamp Act with substantial benefit increases.

Zell S. Rice

Joseph N. Noll