[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1254 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     September 9, 2008.
Whereas the United States and Brazil have many qualities in common, such as the 
        rich ethnic and cultural diversity of their populations and each 
        country's efforts to protect democracy and the civil rights and 
        liberties of all their citizens;
Whereas the United States and Brazil share strong values of democracy, a diverse 
        cultural demographic, and histories marred by slavery;
Whereas in comparison to the general population, minority groups in the United 
        States and Brazil have experienced discrimination in many areas;
Whereas there is a continuing need to combat racial and ethnic discrimination 
        and promote equality in the United States and Brazil;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Brazil have committed to 
        jointly seek solutions to issues affecting both countries, such as 
        racial and ethnic discrimination and inequality;
Whereas the Department of State, Brazil's Ministry of Exterior Relations, and 
        the Special Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality began 
        formal talks in October 2007, to negotiate areas of bilateral 
        cooperation on combating discrimination and creating opportunities for 
        ethnic minorities in the United States and Brazil;
Whereas, on March 13, 2008, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian 
        Minister of Racial Integration Edson Santos signed the ``Joint Action 
        Plan Between the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the 
        Government of the United States of America to Eliminate Racial and 
        Ethnic Discrimination and Promote Equality'', also known as the United 
        States-Brazil Joint Action Plan Against Racial Discrimination;
Whereas the United States-Brazil Joint Action Plan Against Racial Discrimination 
        creates the Steering Group to Promote Equality of Opportunity, which 
        will consist of a panel of government officials from both the United 
        States and Brazil and facilitate the exchange of information on the best 
        practices for antidiscrimination measures and development of ideas on 
        how to bilaterally promote racial and ethnic equality;
Whereas United States and Brazil should discuss and consider techniques and 
        initiatives for training educators, employers, workers, administrators 
        of justice, such as police officers, judges, and prosecutors, and other 
        members of society, on tolerance, equality, and the elimination of all 
        forms of discrimination;
Whereas an Advisory Board, consisting of private sector representatives, 
        government officials, civil society members, and experts on race 
        relations and other relevant topics, will collaborate with Steering 
        Group members at the periodic meetings of the Steering Group, to be held 
        alternatively in Brazil and the United States;
Whereas the Inaugural Meeting of the Steering Group to Promote Equality of 
        Opportunity will take place September 8-10, 2008, in Brasilia, Brazil;
Whereas the Government of Brazil and the Government of the United States each 
        will determine their country's delegate members for the United States-
        Brazil Steering Group;
Whereas currently, United States Government participation in initiatives of the 
        United States-Brazil Joint Action Plan Against Racial Discrimination is 
        supported by existing discretionary funds within the Department of State 
        and other participating agencies;
Whereas the elimination of ethnic and racial discrimination in the United States 
        and Brazil is an ongoing process that requires the long-term dedication 
        of both countries;
Whereas additional resources may be needed to support future initiatives under 
        the United States-Brazil Joint Action Plan Against Racial Discrimination 
        to address discrimination and promote racial and ethnic equality in the 
        long term;
Whereas the specific areas of cooperation that the United States-Brazil Joint 
        Action Plan Against Racial Discrimination plans to address include 
        education, communications and culture, labor and employment, housing and 
        public accommodation, equal protection under the law and access to legal 
        systems, domestic enforcement of antidiscrimination laws and policies, 
        sports and recreation, health issues prevalent among minorities, access 
        to credit and technical training, and social, historical, and cultural 
        factors that contribute to racial and ethnic prejudices;
Whereas the Steering Group on Equality of Opportunity will address the top 
        priority of combating discrimination and promoting equality in education 
        at primary, secondary, vocational, undergraduate, and graduate levels;
Whereas particular programs and initiatives to be considered by the Steering 
        Group include, but are not limited to, training programs, strengthening 
        democratic institutions, public-private partnerships with businesses and 
        nongovernmental organizations, workshops and seminars, exchanges of 
        technical experts, scholarships and fellowships, cooperation with 
        international organizations and civil society, and programs in third 
        countries;
Whereas the United States and Brazil should support cultural exchanges between 
        minority groups in the two countries and opportunities for the exchange 
        of perspectives and experiences in race relations in both countries; and
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Brazil value the importance of 
        promoting tolerance and equality by emphasizing education and promoting 
        equal opportunities, democracy, and prosperity in both countries: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the need to promote equality and continue to work 
        towards eliminating racial discrimination in both the United States and 
        Brazil;
            (2) commends Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian 
        Minister of Racial Integration Edson Santos for signing the ``Joint 
        Action Plan Between the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil 
        and the Government of the United States of America to Eliminate Racial 
        and Ethnic Discrimination and Promote Equality'';
            (3) supports the continued involvement of the Government of the 
        United States in the bilateral partnership of the United States-Brazil 
        Joint Action Plan Against Racial Discrimination through funding that may 
        be designated for programs as part of this initiative;
            (4) encourages the participation of the Departments of State, Labor, 
        Justice, and Education; the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; 
        Congress; Federal, State, and local court systems; and other agencies in 
        the collaborative process of the United States-Brazil Steering Group on 
        Equality of Opportunity; and
            (5) urges the involvement of the private sector, civil society, and 
        experts on race relations and other relevant topics to be considered as 
        part of the Steering Group Advisory Board.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.