HLS 14RS-2367 ENGROSSED
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 140
BY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY BISHOP
EDUCATION: Expresses support for the My Brother's Keeper initiative and requests that
BESE monitor and submit a report to the legislature relative to the education-related
recommendations of the My Brother's Keeper Task Force
A RESOLUTION1
To express support for the My Brother's Keeper initiative and to urge and request the State2
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to monitor the findings and3
recommendations of the My Brother's Keeper Task Force as they pertain to4
elementary and secondary education and to submit a written report to the House5
Committee on Education relative to such findings and recommendations and their6
potential application in Louisiana not later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the7
2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.8
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public9
education system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human10
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every11
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and12
WHEREAS, in February of 2014, President Barack Obama established the My13
Brother's Keeper initiative, an interagency effort to measurably improve the expected14
educational and life outcomes for and address the persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys15
and young men of color, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native16
Americans; and17
WHEREAS, the My Brother's Keeper initiative is aimed at unlocking the full18
potential of boys and young men of color, an effort that will not only benefit these19
individuals but all Americans; and 20 HLS 14RS-2367 ENGROSSED
HR NO. 140
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the My Brother's Keeper Task Force has been established by the1
president for the purpose of developing a coordinated federal effort to improve significantly2
the expected life outcomes for boys and young men of color and their contributions to the3
nation's prosperity; and4
WHEREAS, the task force has been directed to focus on the following issues with5
respect to education, among others: access to early childhood supports, grade school6
literacy, and pathways to college and a career, including issues arising from school7
disciplinary action; and8
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every9
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is appropriate that the State10
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education monitor the findings and recommendations11
of the My Brother's Keeper Task Force with respect to elementary and secondary education12
and evaluate how they may be applied in Louisiana in order to improve the welfare of boys13
and young men of color in this state.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the15
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express support for the My Brother's Keeper initiative16
and does hereby urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education17
(BESE) to monitor the findings and recommendations of the My Brother's Keeper Task18
Force as they pertain to elementary and secondary education.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby urge20
and request BESE to focus specifically on the task force's findings and recommendations21
with respect to education issues including the following:22
(1)Access to early childhood supports.23
(2)Grade school literacy.24
(3)Pathways to college and a career, including issues arising from school25
disciplinary action.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby urge27
and request BESE to submit a written report to the House Committee on Education relative28
to the task force's findings and recommendations pertaining to elementary and secondary29
education and their potential application in Louisiana, including any recommendations for30 HLS 14RS-2367 ENGROSSED
HR NO. 140
Page 3 of 3
related legislation, not later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the 2015 Regular Session1
of the Legislature.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the3
president of the United States, the president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary4
Education, and the state superintendent of education.5
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Wesley Bishop HR No. 140
Expresses support for the My Brother's Keeper initiative and requests that the State Board
of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) do the following:
(1)Monitor the findings and recommendations of the My Brother's Keeper Task Force
as they pertain to elementary and secondary education.
(2)Focus specifically on the task force's findings and recommendations with respect to
education issues that include access to early childhood supports, grade school
literacy, and pathways to college and a career, including issues arising from school
disciplinary action.
(3)Submit a written report to the House Committee on Education relative to the task
force's findings and recommendations and their potential application in La.,
including any recommendations for legislation, by 60 days prior to the 2015 R.S.