Whereas, the City's voters and the public deserve to be engaged in a balanced and educated understanding of the merits and significance of affirmative action policies and practices in public employment, education and contracting; and

Whereas, affirmative action seeks to ensure equal opportunity, remedy discrimination and include women and minorities in all professions and trades; and

Whereas, affirmative action programs create opportunities for our children to compete and fully participate in the social and economic life of society despite the obstacles of racism, sexism, and cultural bias; and

Whereas, one of the primary goals of affirmative action is to ensure the inclusion of qualified women and minorities in sectors of society where they have been historically underrepresented, and

Whereas, affirmative action has improved the overall ability of government and business to meet the needs of the diverse populations they serve through: (1) the creation of an expanded labor pool inclusive of the talents and skills of all communities; (2) enhanced economic opportunities in the public contracting process, and (3) availability of educational opportunities for all of our young people; and

Whereas, affirmative action programs enable the City and region to more effectively compete in the international marketplace through the creation of a more diverse workforce; and

Whereas, the need to maintain affirmative action policies and programs is clearly substantiated by historical and present employment figures which indicate that parity has not been achieved for women and minorities in the workforce; and

Whereas, women continue to face discrimination in the workplace as evidenced by the "glass ceiling," wage inequity, and fewer benefits; and

Whereas, the majority of minority and women-owned businesses continue to experience economic exclusion despite the jobs they create in the community and their contributions to our economic base; and

Whereas, empirical evidence indicates that the abandonment of affirmative action in public contracting has resulted in a dramatic drop in utilization of minority and woman-owned businesses; and

Whereas, college admissions statistics reveal that the abandonment of affirmative action in public education has resulted in a dramatic drop in minority enrollment in higher educational institutions, subsequently eroding opportunities to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to attain economic security and self-sufficiency; and

Whereas, the passage of Initiative 200 could have a negative impact on the City's convention, tourism and trade industry; and

Whereas, many local and prominent people, businesses and organizations including: Washington churches and religious leaders, teachers, major companies such as Boeing, labor unions, Governor Gary Locke, King County Executive Ron Sims, former Governor Dan Evans, as well as the League of Women Voters and the Washington Business and Professional Women strongly support affirmative action and oppose efforts to end it; and

Whereas, Initiative 200 threatens to erode the progress that has been made through affirmative action to create a more inclusive society; and

Whereas, the City of Seattle is resolved to protect equal opportunity for all of its citizens and promote diversity through outreach and recruitment programs targeted to women and minorities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

The City of Seattle opposes Initiative 200 and reaffirms its commitment to affirmative action programs that seek to remedy discrimination, foster a diverse society and ensure the American dream of equality of opportunity is available to all. We support affirmative action because it is a practical and effective tool in ensuring diversity and representation in all sectors of our City. We believe our strong support for affirmative action sends a clear signal to our communities, especially, to our young people that all individuals have an equal place in America's future.

Adopted by the City Council the _____ day of _______________, 1998, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this _____ day of _______________, 1998.

________________________________________

President of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

________________________________________

Paul Schell, Mayor

Filed by me this _____ day of _______________, 1998.

________________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)

Martha Choe/sy

I200opp

5/26/98 V #1