The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A062)

Whereas, Racism, the most corrosive scourge of modern civilization, gives every sign of resurgence at this period of history, both at home and overseas; and

Whereas, the "colored" minorities, and other economically oppressed groups around the world, are expressing impatience with inequality, disadvantage, and denial; and

Whereas, Holy Scripture reminds us that "God ... hath made of one blood all nations of people to dwell on the face of the earth" (Acts 17:26) and that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 4.28); and

Whereas, previous sessions of the General Convention have on frequent occasions called the clergy and lay people of this Church to eradicate the divisions of race both in our ecclesial fellowship and in society at large; therefore, be it

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church request every diocese and local congregation to create a Special Committee on Racism, with assisting material to be provided by the staff of the Episcopal Church Center, in order to demonstrate to the world that the promise of America is no longer a nightmare for some, but a viable dream for all. The initial agenda for each Committee might include:

1. To study, identify, and confront the root cause of racism in all people, systems, and institutions; to produce educational programs and to advocate economic and political reforms;
2. To lend support for truly desegregated communities, schools, and houses of worship;
3. To apply a collective imagination for the creation of new jobs, including training programs in job skills and work discipline that are characterized by equality of opportunity from the base to the zenith of the employment ladder;
4. To encourage, recruit, and deploy minority people in all professions on a non-discriminatory basis.
   

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the Resolve clause:

drop the word "special" in the first sentence;

in the fourth line, delete the words beginning "in order" and ending in the fifth line with "dream for all."

In numeral 1:

add "working with religious and other groups in the community."

In numeral 3:

add "top to bottom"; delete words, ["base"] to ["ladder"].

In numeral 4:

add "particularly within the Church."

Reverse the order of 3 and 4.

The Committee moved the adoption of Resolution A-62A.

Seconded by the Bishop of Olympia.

Motion carried

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #184)