H 3381 Session 111 (1995-1996)
H 3381 Joint Resolution, By J. Brown, Anderson, Askins, D.W. Beatty, Breeland,
G. Brown, A.W. Byrd, Cave, Clyburn, Govan, J. Hines, Howard, Inabinett, Lloyd,
McMahand, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, Scott, Stille, Whipper, L.S. Whipper,
Wilder and D. Williams
A Joint Resolution to create the Governor's Commission on Socially
Disadvantaged Black Males to study the education and the economic and health
survival of Black males in South Carolina.
01/25/95 House Introduced and read first time HJ-20
01/25/95 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-20
A JOINT RESOLUTION
TO CREATE THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON
SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BLACK MALES TO STUDY
THE EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMIC AND HEALTH
SURVIVAL OF BLACK MALES IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, all citizens of South Carolina should have the opportunity
to lead healthy and productive lives; and
Whereas, historical disenfranchisement, discrimination, inadequate
education and skill levels, damaged self-esteem, and thwarted
aspirations have often undermined the chances of poor blacks to
compete successfully in the labor market; and
Whereas, costs to society increase as a result of high unemployment
in this segment of the population, resulting in increases in welfare
rolls, involvement with drugs and substance abuse, health problems,
crime, and alienation from the family and society; and
Whereas, the unemployment rate for black males has been a
persistent problem for more than twenty years and contributes to a
disproportionately high percentage of unemployment in South
Carolina; and
Whereas, black males represent a disproportionate percentage of
out-of-school suspensions and dropouts; and
Whereas, a small percentage of the number of students attending
South Carolina's four-year colleges and universities are black
males; and
Whereas, black males also have traditionally faced limited access to
health care; and
Whereas, black males have experienced a decrease in life span and
are at a higher risk for AIDS, hypertension, alcohol, drug, and
tobacco use; and
Whereas, due to the stresses created by those limitations, black
males often repeat the cycle of victimization through peer pressure,
teen pregnancy, and violence; and
Whereas, most murder victims are black males, and a large
percentage of all murder victims in 1992 were black males under
the age of thirty; and
Whereas, law enforcement officials report that the increase in black
male murder is related to drug trafficking and gang violence. Now,
therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is created the South Carolina
Governor's Commission on Socially Disadvantaged Black Males to
study the education and the economic and health survival of black
males in South Carolina. The commission shall:
(1) oversee and supervise four separate and distinct
subcommittees devoted to solving problems and advancing
recommendations exclusively pertinent to black males in the areas
of unemployment, criminal justice, education, and health;
(2) conduct research to determine the nature and extent of the
problems concerning black males in the four targeted areas;
(3) hold public hearings for the purpose of collecting data;
(4) identify existing federal, state, and local programs that
address problems and solutions relevant to the targeted areas of
study;
(5) implement appropriate new programs and demonstration
projects;
(6) develop and implement community education and public
awareness programs especially designed for black males;
(7) develop strategies to improve the social condition of the
black male;
(8) report to the General Assembly and the Governor the
activities, findings, and recommendations of the commission.
(B) The South Carolina Governor's Commission on Socially
Disadvantaged Black Males shall consist of twenty-five members
chosen by the Governor from elected officials, civic and community
leaders, representatives of the employment, criminal justice,
education, and health communities. The members of the
commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor without
compensation. The directors of the Department of Economic
Development, Department of Health and Environmental Control,
Department of Social Services, Department of Labor, Licensing,
and Regulation, Department of Education, and the Commission on
Higher Education shall provide physical facilities, staff, and services
to the commission as are necessary for the commission to discharge
its obligations effectively.
(C) The commission shall submit a preliminary report to the
General Assembly and Governor within the first six months of its
existence and shall submit a published, final report to the General
Assembly and Governor no later than March 1, 1996. Upon
submitting its final report, the commission is abolished.
(D) All agencies, boards, and commissions shall cooperate fully
with the charge of the commission.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by
the Governor.
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