Proposition 209(28)

RESOLUTION 28: Proposition 209

WHEREAS THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS (LULAC) supports the purpose of fostering and enlarging the opportunities for training, education, civil rights, job opportunities, housing, economic development, and welfare of all Hispanics in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination based on a person's color, race, sex, national origin or religion and established the Equal Employment Commission to enforce the employment portion of the act, and;

WHEREAS, the Florida Civil rights Act of 1992 has its purpose to secure individuals from discrimination in education, employment, housing, and other matters, and;

WHEREAS, California adopted Proposition 209 to end affirmative action programs which has had a negative impact in Florida, and;

WHEREAS, Affirmative Action programs for minorities are now being de-emphasized and reversed, thereby perpetuating the flagrant discrimination and under-representation of Hispanics in state governmental jobs and education, and;

WHEREAS, the Florida Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the strongest and only govern-mental advocate for Hispanics in Florida, has not been found by the legislature since 995, thereby denying the largest and fastest growing minority a voice in government, and;

WHEREAS, reports of sharp drops in enrollment of Hispanics in Texas and California Universities reflect the immediate impact of discontinued affirmative action programs. In 1994 (last figures available), only 1.6% Hispanics in Florida's State University System had tenure; while Hispanics make up 15% of the state's population, and;

WHEREAS, an editorial in the May 22, 1994, USA Today stated, "If the assault on affirmative action is aimed at driving minorities out of top-drawer educational opportunities, it appears to be working", and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 1998 National Assembly convened in Dallas, Texas on the 4th day of July, 1998, that through its Councils and National Office, work vigorously to oppose Proposition 209 and similar anti-Civil rights and anti-affirmative Action movements, and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that LULAC members urge all candidate for public office, regardless of party affiliation, to support civil rights laws. LULAC take legal action to stop further weakening and dilution of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Approved this 4th day of July, 1998.

Rick Dovalina
LULAC National President