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On April 28-39, 2006, the Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) met at the Holiday Inn Hotel-Portland Downtown, 1441 NE 2nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232, and the delegates to this Convention adopted the 2006 Oregon Black Political Convention Platform and Resolutions. Below are the planks and resolutions adopted.

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2006 OBPC PLATFORM & RESOLUTIONS

I. BLACK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

II. BLACK YOUTH

III. POLITICAL ACTION

IV. CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

V. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

VI. EDUCATION

VI-A PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

VII. BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

VIII. JUSTICE SYSTEM

IX. RACIAL PROFILING AND PUBLIC SAFETY

X. HEALTH CARE

XI. LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL AND WORLD AFFAIRS

XII. TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

XIII. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

I. BLACK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States on Monday, August 29, 2005, and that its impact revealed not only how deep the racial divide still exists, between Black and White Americans, in the United States, but it also revealed how glaring the "disconnect" is among Black Americans. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes the need for Black America to have a collective will to promote the interest of Black Americans, to resolve this "disconnect" among Black Americans, and to resolve the "racial divide" between Black and White Americans. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that Black leadership should not be afraid to be a part of the Black Community and to render services to it. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that Black Americans are citizens of the United States of America and are citizens of the states, counties, cities and municipalities in which they reside. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports leadership that is responsible, accountable and productive in rendering judgment, services and inclusion to the Black Community. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that the experience of being Black in the United States must be used to evolve the strength and power of Black people as citizens of the United States of America. With this citizenship, there are civic responsibilities that must be exercised for the good of the Black Community as well as all citizens. The Convention and fairness demand that leaders within and outside political systems must be responsible for measurable results that enhance the best interest of Black progress. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges all members of the Black Community to openly recognize the "disconnect" among Black Americans and to commit themselves to resolving this "disconnect."

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the NAACP, the Urban League and the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA) with other Black organizations to jointly host a yearly conference on the status of Black Oregonians.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges organizations within the Black Community to teach Black Americans about the impact of exercising their citizenry duties on their individual lives and the health and welfare of the Black Community.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention opposes gatekeepers in the Black Community and those individuals who uses the Black Community for their selfish gains.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports addressing community needs through representation on City Councils, County Commissions, and on other public boards and commissions (i.e. child and senior services, natural resources, parks and recreation, financial institutions and other non-traditional places).

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black elected leaders and Black appointed officials to take a stand and be assertive in rendering services openly to the Black Community.

II. BLACK YOUTH

The Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) recognizes that the children of the Black Community are its investment in the future. The Convention recognizes that the early schooling of Black youth does not teach them how to be a part of the community, what it means to be a part of the community and how to share their identity and humanity with each other and other groups. The Convention recognizes that any past success is in jeopardy if young Black people are not prepared for its continued success and future. OBPC acknowledges that the future of the Black Community depends on how successful we are in terms of protecting and preparing our children to actively engage in the Black community and the community at large. The Oregon Black Political Convention believes that constructive activities must be provided and healthy relationships must be fostered for Black youth in order for Black youth to show and achieve promise in their Communities and society. The Oregon Black Political Convention believes: that Black youth must be taught to appreciate and foster their cultural history; that opportunities for leadership development must be provided; and that we must resolve to engage youth in activities that are designed to prepare the youth for current and future challenges. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Black Community to monitor schools by joining, participating-in and heading PTAs, monitoring curriculums, etc., to ensure that these schools are providing the Black youth with the applied skills and relevant knowledge they need to be successful.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black organizations and Black businesses to provide internships and work programs for Black youth to learn about their community and to work toward becoming successful leaders.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Oregon Black Community organizations to collaborate in establishing and facilitating an annual leadership institute to develop and train Oregon Black youth to be future leaders.

III. POLITICAL ACTION
The Oregon Black Political Convention expects and insists that ALL ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS represent the interests of the Black Community, regardless of the Official's race, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or geographical location. The quality of this representation will be in accordance with the commitment of the elected officials, and their understanding of an elected official's responsibility to serve, directly or indirectly, all people of Oregon. The Black Community has a responsibility to the Oregon political system, to the elected officials, and to the people of Oregon. Black people must exercise collective political, social, legal and economic power to ensure their voices are heard, and heeded, by elected officials at every level. Recognizing that working from the inside is a powerful force; Black Oregonians must participate in the political process, and they must work with political parties and other groups to ensure that the political aspirations of the Black Community are achieved. Black people must provide leadership not only for Black Oregonians, but also for all Oregonians. Blacks with the interest and ability must seek political office. Blacks already in the political system should seek out and mentor others to succeed them. Black people who do not aspire to be political officeholders may still participate in the political process by actively supporting candidates for office who represent their political views, and holding candidates and incumbents accountable for their words deeds. They may also participate in a myriad of other ways, some of which are described below. The Oregon Black Political Convention firmly believes that when the interests of the Black Community are served, the interests of all Oregonians are served, THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the development of a pact with Black Oregonians to collectively address the political, social, legal, education and economic agenda and to share this agenda with all Oregonians.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to get registered and involved in the political party of their choice.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to attend and participate in the conventions of the political parties to ensure that the positions of the Black Community are addressed and included in these parties' state and national platforms.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention asks Oregon political parties to actively promote greater participation of Blacks Oregonians in their parties' affairs and to aggressively seek their involvement at all levels, including becoming delegates, officers and committee persons.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to seek precinct committee positions or be appointed to precinct committee positions to ensure representation in the political process.

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages Black Oregonians to cooperate with other groups who share common political goals that will enhance the status of Black Americans.

7. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages all political party candidates to include Black people who promote the interest of Black Oregonians on their campaign staffs and, if elected, on their transition teams and staff hiring teams.

8. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black organizations by their own mission statement designed to take on Black issues to become involved with the Oregon Black Political Convention¹s platform to help educate voters on the candidates, initiatives and measures.

9. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to seek information on their political party¹s delegate selection criteria for their presidential candidate selection for the General Election and to participate in the process.

10. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages Black Oregonians to seek elected and appointed public offices.

IV. CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The Oregon Black Political Convention acknowledges that certain rights are granted to all the citizens by the Constitution of the United States and the Oregon Constitution. The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that many rights are being denied to Black Americans. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the equal application and equal enforcement of laws. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls on all public officials to uphold the human, legal and constitutional rights of Black Oregonians. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon the Oregon Legislative Assembly and Executive Branch to hold all Oregon state officials and/or academic institutions¹ officials responsible for design and aggressive implementation of steps to eliminate racism in their bodies, offices and institutions.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner to vigorously investigate civil rights complaints alleging racism and racial discrimination.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon the US Justice Department to investigate civil rights complaints of racial profiling and "Driving While Black" (DWB). All state and local police agencies should be required by law to make public relevant data in a timely fashion.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon the Oregon Legislative Assembly to establish a public policy of zero tolerance toward all forms of racial discrimination in public employment, including public academic institutions and programs and to provide appropriate sanctions for noncompliance.

V. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The Oregon Black Political Convention strongly supports programs that are designed to overcome the effects of past and present discrimination and produce clear and measurable results for Black Americans, popularly known as Affirmative Action. While the Convention supports "diversity," particularly programs designed to include everyone and to create respectful work places, but not those designed to exclude Blacks. The Oregon Black Political Convention firmly opposes efforts (intentional or unintentional) to use "diversity" programs to subvert or supplant affirmative action laws. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes the Governor and the executive officers of government entities as affirmative action officers and calls upon them to vigorously enforce affirmative action laws and regulations.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention opposes any actions of officials that would de-emphasize affirmative action programs which are designed to remedy past and current forms of racial discrimination in the areas of employment, education, housing, and loans.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention opposes use of public funds to support businesses and institutions that do not comply with Federal and State laws and regulations on affirmative action, or with the spirit and intent of affirmative action.

VI. EDUCATION

It is the conclusion of the Oregon Black Political Convention that education is key to social change. The Black Community must use education for cultural, intellectual and economic development and growth. Education ensures that students attain the ability to deal with the nature of racism in all aspects, and its corresponding impact on their lives. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports high quality public education and opposes efforts to deny public education to any child in Oregon or in other state. The OBPC strongly recommends that the Black Community focuses attention and energy on events affecting Black students in both public and private schools, and actively assists those students in preparation to learn and becoming productive citizens. Formal and informal education methodologies are fundamental for the development, enhancement, productivity and survival of Black people. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon the Oregon NAACP branches, The Urban League, the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (OABSE), the African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA) to host an education summit in conjunction with academic institutions whereby Black educators and Black leaders come together to discuss ways and recommendations to deal with the current status of Black students. The protocols so derived shall be forwarded to the appropriate agents and institutions for action.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports sufficient and stable funding for all Oregon public schools and urges the Oregon Legislative Assembly to ensure that funding is available for the education of Oregon children.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes vouchers, private charter schools, and other efforts to finance private education with public funds are problematic and cause harms to Black children.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon the Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Oregon Board of Education to vigorously enforce state laws relating to equal and open access to educational opportunities for Black students.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Oregon colleges and universities to establish admissions criteria which increase the admission of black students by distributing the intrinsic inequities in the admission policies equitably.

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon all presidents of public educational institutions to exam how all fees are used to deny Black students access to certain majors, such as engineering and other non-traditional majors.

7. The Oregon Black Political Convention opposes legislation, which would change financial aid from need based aid to merit based aid for higher education.

VI-A PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that the Portland Public School District is a public school district that is required by the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st to provide equal and open access and educational opportunities for all students. Under the current leadership of the PPS Board of Education and its superintendent, the PPS District is undergoing some changes that will affect how equal and open access and educational opportunities will be provided to Black students in the district. The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that PPS District had not been open and forth coming with the Black parents who have students in the district. ORS 659.850(2) states: "No person in Oregon shall be subjected to discrimination in any public elementary, secondary or community college education program or service, school or interschool activity or in any higher education program or service, school or interschool activity where the program, service, school or activity is financed in whole or in part by moneys appropriated by the Legislative Assembly." Jefferson High School of the PPS District was closed in June 2004, and the Oregon Department of Education has no Institutional Identification number of its currently being an open school in Oregon. Two institutions (School of Champions and School of Pride) were established to the replace Jefferson High School that was closed June 2004, and these schools have Institutional Identification Numbers set-up by the Oregon Department of Education. The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that the PPS District set-up a redesign for a school (Jefferson High School) that does not exist. In adopting the redesign proposals for a school that did not exist, the Oregon Black Political Convention found that the PPS Board and District ignored the Black parents and tried to demonize citizens and other Black individuals who had the courage to raise questions about these redesign proposals. The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that there is racism that exist in the PPS District, that there should be action taken to resolve it. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon the PPS Board of Education to publicly recognize that there is racism in the district and take action to resolve it.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the PPS Board of Education to immediately end its racist policies and practices, resulting in discrimination against Black students, other students of color, other minority and low income students in the choice of course offerings and programs.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Black parents in the PPS District to hold the PPS Board of Education accountable and responsible for the mis-education of all children.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the PPS Board of Education to immediately rescind its current school choice policy in favor of one that eliminates segregation and the inequitable educational opportunities afforded minority/low income students

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the PPS Board of Education to be knowledgeable of the policies that it adopts and to hold itself and the PPS District staff accountable for implementation of these policies.

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the PPS Board of Education to hold itself, PPS Superintendent and the PPS District staff accountable to maintain truthfulness in its dealings with students, parents, families, the media and the general public.

7. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the PPS Board of Education to know the status of the schools in its district and to not redesign schools which have officially been terminated and omitted from the official list of schools.

8. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls on the Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Oregon State Board of Education to investigate the PPS District to determine whether equal and open access and educational opportunities are being provided to Black students in the district.

9. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls on the United States Secretary of Education to investigate PPS District for using a fraudulent redesign process to get around the implementation of the impact of No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB Act) on the district.

VII. BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the efforts and activities of Black people to increase participation in an expanding market economy. We recognize that the higher rate of Black unemployment, especially the nearly 50% rate for Black youth, contributes to the instability of the Black Community and the state and national overall economies. The devaluation and marginalization of this vast human and material resource artificially creates a shortage of labor and has helped convert the U.S. from a producer to a consumer economy. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the right of every Black Oregonian to be free from racial discrimination in employment and to be justly compensated based on the market. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages the development of Black businesses.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Black Community to join in concerted efforts to establish and patronize Black-owned businesses.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages Black Oregonians to support businesses that employ Black Americans and support the economic advancement of Black Americans.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Oregon Economic Development Department to fulfill its statutory obligation to establish and promote economic development in the Black Community.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Business leaders to understand and examine the Oregon Business Plan to determine how this plan may affect economic development in the Black Community.

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon public and private sector employers to reaffirm support for employment programs that ensure fair and equitable Black American representation in the overall workforce.

7. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges elected officials and government agencies to provide access to affordable housing that is decent and affordable for Black Oregonians.

8. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages all Union Organizations within the State of Oregon to actively solicit and recruit Black workers to participate in all Union apprenticeship training programs, and to encourage Black union members to seek Union elected offices.

9. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports efforts to educate the Black American Community in the major economic initiatives and plans developed for the state and regional economies, including, but not limited to, efforts related to Biotechnology, nanotechology, Tourism, Transportation and Creative Services.

10. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages concerted action to support private and public programs to address and reduce unemployment among young Black adults.

11. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages aspiring Black American entrepreneurs to seek and utilize publicly funded programs for business development, mentoring, and counseling assistance in developing, managing, and maintaining successful businesses.

12. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the efforts of the African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) in its efforts to encourage and support African Americans to buy homes.

13. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges all levels of government to make public work contracts of all sizes accessible to Black enterprises and to work with those businesses to build the capacity to fulfill contracts of increasing size.

14. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges all levels of government to track and report statistics on public contracts awarded to Black businesses.

VIII. JUSTICE SYSTEM

The Justice System is a complex and vital network that affects the health and well-being of every person. Perhaps the greatest impact upon people, especially Black people, is the psychological oppression felt when they can not trust a system that is supposed to protect them. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that Black Oregonians have tremendous difficulty in securing effective legal representation. Accordingly, many Blacks feel they must bear with, even tolerate crimes against them rather than be further victimized, even humiliated, by not being able to get effective legal representation. History demonstrates Blacks have not been treated equitably and, there is clear evidence that parity is not close at hand. History is replete with examples of Blacks not being treated equitably and, there is clear evidence that parity is not close at hand. Black Americans must not just hold the Justice System accountable, but must also become a partner to ensuring the system protects and represents all people equally, regardless of racial, social or economic class. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Oregon lawyers to get involved in helping Oregonians understand and counteract this phenomenon of racism and understand its impact on their ability or willingness to represent Black Oregonians. The Black Community must use its collective knowledge, experience and wisdom to shape the outcomes of the Criminal Justice System. The Black Community must exercise its political, social, legal and economic power to ensure that the Criminal Justice System provides equal protection to the community. It must also use these powers to eradicate the negative forces that cause Blacks to be grossly over-represented in every punitive level of the system. Black Oregonians must seek out opportunities to influence the Criminal Justice System. Black Oregonians must serve on juries, commissions, budget hearings and similar bodies. The participation of Black Oregonians is not just vital for the Black Community, it equally important to all citizens. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports Congress in drafting appropriate legislation that does not infringe upon civil liberties and civil rights pertaining to the Patriot Act; and further more, supports Congress in drafting appropriate legislative that will bring international terrorist to justice.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls on elected officials to utilize civilian oversight boards with adequate authority to investigate and review the actions of law enforcement officers.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the state legislative to re-examine existing laws, such as Measure 11, as it relates to the disproportionate and over-representation of Black youth within the Oregon Criminal Justices System.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs to work with the Oregon State Bar and Local Bar associations to encourage greater lawyer participation in pro-bono work increase access to effective legal representation for Black Oregonians.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges all Black Oregonians to document any difficulties experienced by Blacks in securing legal representation and share it with the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs, Access to Justice Committee and the Oregon State Bar.

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports all responsible efforts aimed at holding governmental officials and agencies accountable for their international and national activities; further more, we demand honesty and unambiguous use of terms in their communication with Americans.

IX. RACIAL PROFILING AND PUBLIC SAFETY

The Oregon Black Political Convention does not support a criminal justice system that uses racial profiling to deny citizens the protection and rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Oregon Constitution. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports a criminal justice system that protects the rights of both the victims and the accused. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports a criminal justice system focused on justice instead of punishment. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes the Black Community in Portland has suffered many loses as a result of police gunfire and does not support what appears to be senseless killing of Black individuals by Portland Police officers. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that law enforcement officers need training focused on interaction and threat assessment for encounters with Black Americans. Officers need to be held criminally liable when they kill or injure unarmed and non-threatening Black Americans. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports efforts to eliminate all racial profiling.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention advocates for legislation requiring independent citizen review boards for those government entities that provide law enforcement services.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports legislation requiring that laws governing enforcement officers be enforced and that officers be prosecuted when investigated and found criminally negligent, if the officers kill, abuse or injure Black Americans.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports legislation that requires police officers to make written reports of specified information immediately after traffic stops and after any shooting incidents involving Black Americans.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourage community organizations and leaders to support already existing efforts to educate Black citizens, especially Black youth, of their civil rights.

6. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports a public inquiry into the killing of any Black American, by police in Oregon.

X. HEALTH CARE

The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes the importance of quality healthcare for all people. The Convention has grave concerns about the lack of health care, access, outreach, and educational programs directed towards the Black Community. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports legislation that requires government officials to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all who live in the United States.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls upon all public and private sector health care providers to work with the Black Community to respond to health care issues in the Black Community.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to work with funded and volunteer community agencies and organizations to assure that members of the Black Community have access to basic health care services, regardless of employment or ability to pay.

4 The Oregon Black Political Convention strongly opposes any effort to privatize Social Security or Medicare.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the Health and Wellness Act of 2006 to provide health insurance to all uninsured children under 19 years of age and expand coverage for the Oregon Health Plan by increasing tobacco axes.

XI. LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL AND WORLD AFFAIRS

The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that American governmental entities are mandated by their constitutions or charters to represent the interests of ALL citizens including Black Americans. The Convention acknowledges that these public policies affect how we, as a Nation, involve ourselves in the global economy and international affairs. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Americans to involve themselves in local, state, national and world affairs. We support the participation of Black Americans in the establishment, control, monitoring, and implementation of public policies that not only engender but also promote Black involvement at the local, state, national and world levels. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the participation of Black Americans in the establishment, control, monitoring, and implementation of public policies that deal with our involvement at the local, state, national and world levels.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Americans to acknowledge that we live at a time when the emphasis is on a global economy and that we must be prepared to deal with multiracial, multicultural, cross-cultural and inter-cultural issues.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to study, participate in and affect international policy-making decisions of the US and to make recommendations to the Oregon Legislative Assembly and the Oregon Congressional delegation on international policies and affairs affecting the Oregon economy.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports the troops in the war in Iraq and calls upon the President of the United States to develop and implement a plan to begin the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges leaders at local, state, national and international levels in organizations both private and public, but especially in governments, to recognize the gross injustices suffered by Black Americans.

XII. TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Oregon Black Political Convention reaffirms its finding that the United States has been moving rapidly from an industrial society to an information society and that a proliferation of information technology in all areas of society has come with this move. At the same time that the United States is shifting to an information society and knowledge-based economy, technological innovations are expanding at a rapid rate. The proliferation of information technology has been so rapid that it is frightening to many people. The Oregon Black Political Convention finds that Black Americans' competitiveness in a global economy depends largely on our ability to use emerging communication and technologies in addressing the powerful forces that are shaping the international, national and state agendas. Thus, the Oregon Black Political Convention believes that Black Americans in Oregon must become "technologically literate" if the Black Community is to become empowered in the 21st century. Access to computers and other emerging technologies may become a 'civil rights' issue of the 21st century. The Convention supports efforts to empower Blacks to be prepared for the intensifying international competition and accelerating technological transitions. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages Black Oregonians to train and become knowledgeable in the fields of emerging communications and technologies in order that the Black Community will have access to and be able to be empowered in the 21st century.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Americans to work with schools, school districts, businesses, governmental agencies, and organizations to insure that Black children are trained in emerging communications and technologies.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention encourages Blacks who are trained in the emerging communications and technologies to assist members of the Black Community in becoming skilled in these tools.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to become knowledgeable about the technical, economic, and ethical issues surrounding bio-technology, gene therapy, genetic manipulation and privacy issues.

5. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges Black Oregonians to design and maintain a world class new media presence (i.e. web, podcasting, DVD, etc.) that uses emerging communications and technologies to unit in Oregon and abroad.

XIII. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Oregon Black Political Convention acknowledges that the environmental movement in the United States emerged with agendas that focused on such areas as wilderness and wildlife preservation, resources conservation, pollution abatement, and population control. Although concerns about the environment cut across racial and class lines, the Oregon Black Political Convention believes that environmental activism has not addressed the concerns of the Black Community, a community that is subject to a disproportionately large amount of pollution and other environmental stresses. Additionally, race has not been eliminated as a factor in the allocation of community amenities. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that research and funding are needed for projects to eliminate environmental and health hazards risks that impact the Black Community. The Oregon Black Political Convention recognizes that environmental activism within the Black Community is needed. THEREFORE,

1. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls for continued research and funding for projects to eliminate the risk of environmental and health hazards impacting the Black Community.

2. The Oregon Black Political Convention calls for political activism, and urges federal, state, and local government agencies to enforce the environmental law in this area.

3. The Oregon Black Political Convention supports "Community Right to Know" legislation to allow Oregonians to know what toxic chemicals are used and released in their communities.

4. The Oregon Black Political Convention urges and supports the appointment of Black Americans to federal, state and local natural resource boards and supports Blacks participation in environmental cleanup community advisory groups.

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The Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) is a nonpartisan convention, and it is educational. The purpose of this convention is twofold. One is to serve as a forum for delegates to discuss issues and conditions, and to establish, through resolutions, the positions of the Black Community, collectively, on these issues and conditions affecting it. The other is to endorse candidates running for public offices, during the Primary Election, who are sensitive and responsive to the issues and conditions of Blacks in Oregon. The convention is statewide in its focus. OBPC is open to the public. Any individual or organization addressing the concerns of Blacks in Oregon may be a delegate to the convention. The delegates carry out the business of the convention. The actions and endorsements of the Oregon Black Political Convention are the positions of the convention and NOT those of the Oregon Assembly For Black Affairs (OABA).The Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) is a nonpartisan convention, and it is educational. The purpose of this convention is twofold. One is to serve as a forum for delegates to discuss issues and conditions, and to establish, through resolutions, the positions of the Black Community, collectively, on these issues and conditions affecting it. The other is to endorse candidates running for public offices, during the Primary Election, who are sensitive and responsive to the issues and conditions of Blacks in Oregon. The convention is statewide in its focus. OBPC is open to the public. Any individual or organization addressing the concerns of Blacks in Oregon may be a delegate to the convention. The delegates carry out the business of the convention. The actions and endorsements of the Oregon Black Political Convention are the positions of the convention and NOT those of the Oregon Assembly For Black Affairs (OABA).The Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) is a nonpartisan convention, and it is educational. The purpose of this convention is twofold. One is to serve as a forum for delegates to discuss issues and conditions, and to establish, through resolutions, the positions of the Black Community, collectively, on these issues and conditions affecting it. The other is to endorse candidates running for public offices, during the Primary Election, who are sensitive and responsive to the issues and conditions of Blacks in Oregon. The convention is statewide in its focus. OBPC is open to the public. Any individual or organization addressing the concerns of Blacks in Oregon may be a delegate to the convention. The delegates carry out the business of the convention. The actions and endorsements of the Oregon Black Political Convention are the positions of the convention and NOT those of the Oregon Assembly For Black Affairs (OABA).

Developing the OBPC Platform & Resolutions is one of the key functions of the Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) that is held during the Spring of election years and is hosted by the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs (OABA) through its Political Action Committee. On April 28-39, 2006, the Oregon Black Political Convention (OBPC) met at the Holiday Inn Hotel-Portland Downtown, 1441 NE 2nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232, and the delegates to this Convention adopted the 2006 Oregon Black Political Convention Platform and Resolutions.
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OABA President Cal Henry
(541) 745-5570
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OREGON ASSEMBLY FOR BLACK AFFAIRS-An Organization For CHANGE And Building
A Better Oregon for the Black Community. What Benefits Black Oregonians
Benefits ALL Oregonians.--- OABA, P. O. BOX 12485, SALEM, OREGON 97309
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