[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.