IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 596 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 26, 2009 Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Payne, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Meeks of New York, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Rush, Ms. Clarke, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Expressing support for the Black European Summit.

Whereas, on April 15–16, 2009, political leaders from the United States and Europe convened in Brussels, Belgium, at the European Parliament for the “Black European Summit: Transatlantic Dialogue on Political Inclusion”; Whereas the historic two-day Summit brought together political and intellectual minority leaders from the United States and Europe to exchange information on the roles of racial and ethnic minority policymakers in developing and supporting policies and initiatives to address racism, discrimination, and inequality; Whereas Summit participants adopted the “Brussels Declaration”, which states, “We recognize that the full access of racial and ethnic minorities to participate in the political sphere and relevant areas of decision making at the levels of national, regional, and locally elected government appropriate to each nation is critical to combating racism and inequality and ensuring our democratic societies”; Whereas the “Brussels Declaration” also states, We therefore note the need for concrete strategies to: increase the representation and influence of racial and ethnic minority policymakers; jointly seek solutions to racial and ethnic minorities increased participation in decision-making in the development and implementation of policy initiatives to address discrimination and inequality; and support opportunities to exchange and share perspectives in these areas through the continuance of a transatlantic dialogue to realize these goals.; Whereas the “Brussels Declaration” resolves to enact initiatives to eradicate racial and ethnic discrimination through Reaffirming our continued cooperation and commitment to work with our governments, international institutions, civil society, private sector, and other partners to improve institutions so that they are fully participatory and reflect the democratic principles of equality, justice, and celebration of the strengths of our countries’ diversity; and Whereas implementation of the Brussels Declaration will begin to address concerns raised at the United States Helsinki Commission Hearings, “The State of (In)visible Black Europe: Race, Rights, and Politics”, held on April 29, 2008, and “Racism in the 21st Century: Understanding Global Challenges and Implementing Solutions”, held on July 16, 2008, that highlighted the lack of inclusion of Black and other minority communities in policymaking, especially related to initiatives to combat discrimination and inequality and counter far-right and anti-migrant political platforms: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)expresses support for the Black European Summit as an effective forum convened in the spirit of cooperation and partnership for political and intellectual leaders from the European Union and 56 participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to address shared challenges and foster collaboration throughout North America and Europe in the development and implementation of policy initiatives to address racial and ethnic discrimination and inequality; and (2)urges the United States to continue and expand efforts to partner with the countries of the OSCE on efforts to combat racism, discrimination, inequality, and inclusion.