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







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1254

Supporting the values and goals of 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'', signed by Secretary of State 
  Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian Minister of Racial Integration Edson 
                       Santos on March 13, 2008.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 9, 2008

 Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Payne, Mr. Berman, 
    Mr. Kuhl of New York, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Davis of 
Illinois, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Sires, Mr. Honda, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. 
 Crowley, and Mr. Jefferson) submitted the following resolution; which 
            was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the values and goals of 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'', signed by Secretary of State 
  Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian Minister of Racial Integration Edson 
                       Santos on March 13, 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 common histories of slavery and 
        colonialism, a diverse cultural demographic of European, African, Asian, 
        and indigenous peoples, and strong values of democracy;
Whereas these commonalities result in an extraordinary ability to jointly seek 
        solutions to distinct issues that affect both countries, such as racial 
        discrimination and inequality;
Whereas in comparison to the general population, minority groups in the United 
        States and Brazil are more at risk for discrimination in the areas of 
        employment, education, law enforcement, and access to justice and basic 
        services, including health care, housing, and lending;
Whereas African-Americans, Afro-Brazilians, and indigenous people in the United 
        States and Brazil have been disadvantaged due to a history of racial 
        inequality and discrimination in each country;
Whereas due to social disparities that exist as a result of racial 
        discrimination in the United States and Brazil, there is a continuing 
        need to combat racial discrimination and promote equality throughout 
        both societies;
Whereas in recognition of the need to address racial and ethnic discrimination 
        and promote equality in both countries, 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 equality;
Whereas United States agencies and civil society members can share experiences 
        in training educators, employers, workers, administrators of justice, 
        such as police officers, judges, and prosecutors, and other members of 
        society, on tolerance, equality, and antidiscrimination methods aimed at 
        eliminating discrimination in education, housing, employment, law 
        enforcement, and all other areas of society;
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 in July 2008 in Salvador da Bahia, 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 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;
Whereas the Steering Group on Equality of Opportunity will make combating 
        discrimination and the promotion of equality in education a main 
        priority on 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 promotion of cultural exchanges between minority groups in the two 
        countries will create opportunities for the exchange of perspectives and 
        experiences in race relations in both countries, as well as academic 
        opportunities to study abroad and learn foreign languages; and
Whereas the struggle to eliminate racial discrimination is an ongoing process 
        and requires the commitments of both countries in order to achieve equal 
        opportunity societies for every citizen in the United States and Brazil: 
        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.
                                 <all>