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Employment Fairness Cover Letter —page 2 <br />High tech businesses are more likely to locate in a business climate that welcomes such diversity. <br />As Gil Casellas, Vice President of Dell, Inc. says, "Diversity and inclusion are critical <br />components in Dell's long -term success." Gabrielle Toledano, Executive Vice President of <br />Human Resources at Electronic Arts, Inc. reported "EA holds diversity as a core value. We will <br />continue to work at EA to further enrich our employee population with people with diverse <br />backgrounds and unique perspectives. The diversity of our workforce is what enables us to <br />deliver innovative and industry leading interactive entertainment." In general, the American <br />busyness community, especially the Fortune 500, values diversity and believes that "providing an <br />inclusive environment isn't just the right thing to do, it also makes business sense" (Jason Buss, <br />Vice President of Ameriprise Financial, Inc). In each of these quotes, the speaker is including <br />sexual orientation and gender identity in the definition of diversity. In fact, 85% of the <br />companies in the Fortune 500 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. <br />In addition to innovative, dynamic businesses, South Bend also needs to attract citizens who can <br />fill knowledge - intensive positions, who are well educated, and who are prepared with new ideas <br />and new technology. These kinds of citizens, who tend to value diversity and individuality, look <br />for communities in which they feel they can be themselves. They are interested in a business <br />environment that provides an inclusive climate, because such a climate is conducive to diverse <br />perspectives that enrich the innovative corporate culture. Successful corporations know this to be <br />true. As Eli Lilly Senior Vice President Bart Peterson wrote, <br />Enhancing our work environment to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual <br />orientation and gender identity has not added any financial cost to our organization. <br />Instead, we believe our philosophy and practice of valuing diversity bring financial <br />benefits in the workplace by encouraging full and open participation by all employees. <br />Businesses that drive away talented and capable employees are certain to lose their <br />competitive edge, an outcome that we must not accept in this competitive global <br />marketplace. <br />South Bend often loses promising young people to communities they perceive as more forward - <br />thinking cities, and the city has been working to attract and retain young, skilled professionals in <br />a variety of ways. For example, the city has also been working to create urban housing options <br />that will draw more young, skilled residents to the downtown area, and make the downtown a <br />vibrant and exciting place. This will assist the city in attracting and retaining skilled <br />professionals of all ages. We want to be seen as a vibrant, welcoming city. A climate of fairness <br />and nondiscrimination is essential in attracting reputable businesses, as well as talented, capable <br />employees. <br />History of this )Issue <br />The Common Council members who are sponsoring the attached amendment are concerned that, <br />despite evidence of discrimination in our city presented over five years ago, the Common Council <br />has not taken action to remedy the situation. In 2005, the South Bend Human Rights Commission <br />asked the Common Council to address issues of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation <br />