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Resolution Number: 1988-A092
Title: Request Executive Council to Establish a Commission on Racism
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 69th General Convention give special thanks for Presiding Bishop Edmond Lee Browning's active and faithful leadership in combatting institutional racism and all forms of injustice in the Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council establish a Commission on Racism whose duty it shall be:

  1. to offer and provide assistance to dioceses, congregations and agencies of the Episcopal Church in developing programs to combat racism;
  2. to offer and provide assistance in the development of affirmative action programs and monitoring the implementation of the same;
  3. to offer and provide assistance in the evaluation of such programs;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Racism shall consist of ten members to be appointed by the Presiding Bishop with representation as follows: two Asians, two Blacks, two Hispanics, two Native Americans, two Whites and an ex-officio member from the Committee on the Status of Women; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Racism shall be a Commission of the Executive Council; shall report annually to the Executive Council on its activities and progress; and shall report to the General Convention in 1991 and thereafter; [and be it further]

[ Resolved, That there be appropriated from the Assessment Budget of the General Convention for the expenses of the Commission on Racism the sum of $75,000 for the triennium 1989-91.]

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Detroit, 1988 (New York: General Convention, 1989), p. 329.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Committees and Commissions

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A092)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 69th General Convention give special thanks for Presiding Bishop Edmond Lee Browning's active and faithful leadership in combatting institutional racism and all forms of injustice in the Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council establish a Commission on Racism whose duty it shall be:

  1. to offer and provide assistance to dioceses, congregations and agencies of the Episcopal Church in developing programs to combat racism;
  2. to offer and provide assistance in the development of affirmative action programs and monitoring the implementation of the same;
  3. to offer and provide assistance in the evaluation of such programs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Racism shall consist of not more than twelve members, to be appointed by the Presiding Bishop, with staggered terms of service; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Racism shall be a Commission of the Executive Council; shall meet three times annually and shall report annually to the Executive Council on its activities and progress; and shall report to the General Convention in 1991 and thereafter; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Racism shall be staffed by and be administratively located in the National Mission in Church and Society Program Unit; and be it further

Resolved, That there be appropriated from the Assessment Budget of the General Convention for the expenses of the Commission on Racism the sum of $75,000 for the triennium 1989-91.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Strike the third Resolved and substitute:

Resolved, That the Commission on Racism shall consist of ten members to be appointed by the Presiding Bishop with representation as follows: two Asians, two Blacks, two Hispanics, two Native Americans, two Whites, and an ex officio member from the Committee on the Status of Women.

Amend the fourth Resolved: strike the words "shall meet three times annually and."

Strike the fifth Resolved in its entirety.

Resolution re-referred from Committee #6 on Structure to Committee #23 on Committees and Commissions: A092 Establish and Fund Commission on Racism

The Committee moved the adoption of the resolution as amended by the Committee.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #336)

House of Bishops

The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Committees and Commissions, the Bishop of Arizona, presented its Report #12 on House of Deputies Message #336 on Resolution A092a (Commission on Racism) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #416)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 11.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health, Reports to the 69th General Convention, 1988, pp. 137-170.
Abstract:   The 69th General Convention thanks the Presiding Bishop for his leadership in combating institutional racism and injustice. It directs the Executive Council to establish a Commission on Racism.
Notes:  

The final text of 1988-A092, as it appears in the Journal, 1988, does not include the final resolved clause. The consideration of the resolution does not support its omission.