IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 596 

Expressing support for the Black European Summit. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 26, 2009 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. 

PAYNE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. CORRINE

BROWN of Florida, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. RUSH, Ms. CLARKE, 

and Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the Black European Summit. 

Whereas, on April 15–16, 2009, political leaders from the 

United States and Europe convened in Brussels, Belgium, at the European Parliament for the ‘‘Black European Summit: Transatlantic Dialogue on Political Inclusion’’; 

Whereas the historic two-day Summit brought together political and intellectual minority leaders from the United 

States and Europe to exchange information on the roles 

of racial and ethnic minority policymakers in developing 

and supporting policies and initiatives to address racism, 

discrimination, and inequality; 


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•HRES 596 IH 

Whereas Summit participants adopted the ‘‘Brussels Declaration’’, which states, ‘‘We recognize that the full access of 

racial and ethnic minorities to participate in the political 

sphere and relevant areas of decision making at the levels 

of national, regional, and locally elected government appropriate to each nation is critical to combating racism 

and inequality and ensuring our democratic societies’’; 

Whereas the ‘‘Brussels Declaration’’ also states, ‘‘We therefore note the need for concrete strategies to: increase the 

representation and influence of racial and ethnic minority 

policymakers; jointly seek solutions to racial and ethnic 

minorities increased participation in decision-making in 

the development and implementation of policy initiatives 

to address discrimination and inequality; and support opportunities to exchange and share perspectives in these 

areas through the continuance of a transatlantic dialogue 

to realize these goals.’’; 

Whereas the ‘‘Brussels Declaration’’ resolves to enact initiatives to eradicate racial and ethnic discrimination 

through ‘‘Reaffirming our continued cooperation and 

commitment to work with our governments, international 

institutions, civil society, private sector, and other partners to improve institutions so that they are fully 

participatory and reflect the democratic principles of 

equality, justice, and celebration of the strengths of our 

countries’ diversity’’; and 

Whereas implementation of the Brussels Declaration will 

begin to address concerns raised at the United States 

Helsinki Commission Hearings, ‘‘The State of (In)visible 

Black Europe: Race, Rights, and Politics’’, held on April 

29, 2008, and ‘‘Racism in the 21st Century: Understanding Global Challenges and Implementing Solutions’’, 


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•HRES 596 IH 

held on July 16, 2008, that highlighted the lack of inclusion of Black and other minority communities in policymaking, especially related to initiatives to combat discrimination and inequality and counter far-right and 

anti-migrant political platforms: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses support for the Black European 

3 Summit as an effective forum convened in the spirit 

4 of cooperation and partnership for political and in5 tellectual leaders from the European Union and 56 

6 participating states of the Organization for Security 

7 and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to address 

8 shared challenges and foster collaboration through9 out North America and Europe in the development 

10 and implementation of policy initiatives to address 

11 racial and ethnic discrimination and inequality; and 

12 (2) urges the United States to continue and ex13 pand efforts to partner with the countries of the 

14 OSCE on efforts to combat racism, discrimination, 

15 inequality, and inclusion. 

Æ 


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