Establishing a Historical Landmark - 804 N. Lafayette Blvd (2)

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,, SUBSTITUTE BQII.L~JNO.5-98 ORDINANCE NO. U ~ ` ~' / a A ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 5, OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE INCLUSION OF NEW SECTION 2-59 ~ THE SOUTH BEND COMMISSION ONAFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The Indiana State Legislature enacted Public Law 143-1993 which established the Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. This 25-member Commission systematically studies the conditions and reasons underlying the problems of black males and proposes measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of such conditions. Governor Frank O'Bannon noted in presenting the annual report of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males that since the Commission's inception, that it has encouraged "Hoosiers of all colors to work together to fmd new ways to enhance and develop the economic, professional, educational and social status of African-American Hoosier males". Darren L. Washington, Executive Director of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, noted that the Commission works "diligently to create public and legislative remedies in the areas of employment, education, health, and criminal justice to reduce the problems that Black males face". The cities of Indianapolis, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Gary and Lake County have each established a local Commission. It has been determined that "local commissions are the key units in Indiana's network to bring together those who are at the forefront of the battle to reduce the factors that contribute to the social decay of the Black male". Local cammissions are instrumental in encouraging the development of programs at the local level that focus on long-range remediation of problems facing Black males. Criminal justice figures for the City of South Bend reveal that 92% of the shooting victims in 1996 were Black males. Statistics also revealed that homicide is the leading cause of death of Black males between the ages of 15 to 24. In February of 1995, the African-American Male National Council was established to focus on social, political, educational, economic, criminal justice, and public health issue which adversely affect African-American males. Lieutenant Governor Joseph E. Kernan has stated that "in order to work toward a solution, we must analyze where we came from, where we are, and where we need to go as a community". With that mission in mind, the City of South Bend believes that the creation of a local commission, which would actively and creatively partner with the state and federal Commissions, would be in our City's best interest. 1Piobo, t~~r~for~, b~ it or~a~itt~~ b~ ~~ ~tommott ~outt~fl of ~~ ~Lit~ of ~O1ttYj ~8ttb, ~itsi'i~it~, as follows: SECTION I. Chapter 2, Article 5, of the South Bend Municipal Code is amended by the inclusion of new section 2-59 entitled The South Bend Commission on African-American Males which shall read in its entirety as follows: Sec. 2-59 The South Bend Commission on African-American Males. A. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS: a. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, acknowledges that if a segment of our residents and community are not doing well, that this affects the overall well-being of our entire community. b Statistical studies detailing the status of African-American Males reveal startling and disturbing conditions and trends which are impeding progress toward full participation in the mainstream of our society. c. Poverty, violence, drug abuse, debilitating health problems, and the undereducation, underemployment and unemployment of Black males promote self-destructive behaviors and create a myriad of community problems.