President Jimmy Carter nominated Griffin Bell as attorney general in 1976 . Bell resigned as attorney general in 1979 to return to private law practice in Atlanta with King and Spalding . Bell credited with helping restore confidence in Justice Department in late 1970s . His `` integrity , professionalism , and charm '' valued across party lines , Carter said . He was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have made it illegal for states or local governments to deny equal rights based on sexual orientation.
President Jimmy Carter nominated Griffin Bell as attorney general in 1976 . Bell credited with helping restore confidence in Justice Department in late 1970s . His `` integrity , professionalism , and charm '' valued across party lines , Carter said . He was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have made it illegal for states or local governments to deny equal rights based on sexual orientation.