GOVERNOR'S OFFICE [4 PA. CODE CH. 5] [EXECUTIVE ORDER 1996-3] [26 Pa.B. 2288] Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs April 19, 1996
Whereas, the history of African Americans in Pennsylvania reflects a diverse and unique blend of cultural, social, and economic influences which have had and continue to have a beneficial impact on life in this Commonwealth; and
Whereas, African American citizens nonetheless continue to encounter difficulty in gaining access to avenues of economic development, including access to capital for business formation, to educational opportunities necessary for effective business development and growth, and to established networking relationships, as well as to innovative techniques designed to encourage and promote minority business ownership; and
Whereas, despite the numerous gains achieved over the years which have resulted in increased access to political, economic, and institutional systems, expanded opportunities in education and employment, and the passage and enforcement of important antidiscrimination legislation, African Americans are still confronted with systemic conditions which disproportionately affect this segment of our population adversely; and
Whereas, these conditions, which are prevalent in the African American community and affect the welfare and integrity of all of the citizens of our Commonwealth, require a forum within which the unique needs and issues of concern for our African American citizens can be articulated and addressed.
Now, Therefore, I, Thomas J. Ridge, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby reestablish, in the Office of the Governor, the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs (hereinafter referred to as ''Commission'') as the Commonwealth's advocate agency for its African American citizens as hereinafter set forth.
Annex A TITLE 4. ADMINISTRATION PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CHAPTER 5. COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES Subchapter YY. GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS Sec.
5.701. Functions. 5.702. Composition of the Commission. 5.703. Terms of membership. 5.704. Compensation. 5.705. Relationship with other agencies. 5.706. Reports. 5.707. Procedures. 5.708. Rescission. § 5.701. Functions.
The functions of the Commission shall be to:
(1) Advise the Governor on policies, procedures, legislation and regulations which affect the African American community and which will enable the Commonwealth to be responsive to the needs of the African American community. The areas to be examined include, but are not limited to:
(i) The accelerating rate of poverty among African American children.
(ii) The growing number of households headed by single African American females.
(iii) The high incidence of Black on Black crime.
(iv) The low business formation rate by African American citizens of the Commonwealth.
(v) The high levels of drug and alcohol addiction, abuse and crime in the African American community.
(vi) The high mortality rates for African Americans and access to quality health care.
(vii) The high proportion of African American males in the penal institutions.
(viii) The high dropout rate of African American students and the declining presence of the African American male in institutions of higher education.
(2) Develop, review and recommend to the Governor policies to prevent and eradicate racial discrimination in the areas of health and human services, housing, education, employment, business formation and development, public accommodations, and in contracting practices and procedures.
(3) Provide appropriate assistance and advice to the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority, as may be necessary, to assist the authority in its statutory duties and functions as the principal State agency for the promotion and encouragement of minority economic development within the Commonwealth.
(4) Serve as a liaison to Federal, State and local agencies to ensure that programs affecting African Americans are effectively utilized and that benefits accrue equitably to members of the African American community.
(5) Work with the Governor's Office and the African American community to promote legislation which ensures the equitable treatment of all citizens of the Commonwealth.
(6) Serve as a resource for community groups on African American issues, programs, sources of funding and compliance requirements within State government for the benefit and advancement of African Americans.
(7) Assist local African American community groups in developing strategies and programs which will expand and enhance the social, cultural and economic status of the African American community.
(8) Work with the Bureau of Affirmative Action to strengthen the enforcement of the Commonwealth's antidiscriminatory hiring, retention and promotion policies.
(9) Promote the cultural arts in their various forms within the African American community through coordinated efforts and advocacy.
§ 5.702. Composition of the Commission.
(a) The Commission shall consist of 15 members to be appointed by the Governor who are representatives of the Commonwealth's African American community.
(b) The Governor will designate one Commission member to serve as chairperson and one to serve as vice-chairperson of the Commission. The chairperson and vice-chairperson shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(c) The Governor will appoint an Executive Director and a Deputy Executive Director of the Commission who will serve at the Governor's pleasure.
§ 5.703. Terms of membership.
(a) Members will be appointed for a term of 2 years. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(b) If a vacancy occurs on the Commission due to resignation, disability or death of a member, a successor may be appointed by the Governor to serve the duration of the unexpired term. A successor so appointed may thereafter be reappointed.
§ 5.704. Compensation.
Members of the Commission will not receive compensation for their service except that the members may be reimbursed for actual travel and related expenses in accordance with Commonwealth policy.
§ 5.705. Relationship with other agencies.
To implement the purpose of this subchapter, the Commission may request and receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or any other agency of the State or any political subdivision thereof or public authority, cooperation, assistance, information and data needed by the Commission to properly carry out its powers and duties hereunder.
§ 5.706. Reports.
The Commission shall submit reports, as it deems necessary, on issues affecting African Americans in this Commonwealth.
§ 5.707. Procedures.
(a) The Commission is authorized to establish subcommittees and rules and procedures for the effective implementation of its functions consistent with this order.
(b) The Commission may hold public hearings in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Commonwealth services and programs to the African American community.
§ 5.708. Rescission.
Executive Order 1991-7 under this subchapter is rescinded.
Fiscal Note: GOV 96-3. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-796. Filed for public inspection May 17, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]
