81R691 CBE-D
By: Dutton H.C.R. No. 26
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Two recent studies present a grim social and
economic forecast for the large pool of young black men in the
United States who are tragically disconnected from the American
mainstream; and
WHEREAS, In Black Males Left Behind, editor Ronald Mincy, a
professor at Columbia University's School of Social Work, concludes
that joblessness and low earnings among "disconnected" young black
men, in addition to greatly diminishing their own individual
chances for success in life, contribute to increases in nonmarital
childbearing and a host of other social problems affecting not only
the African American community but all Americans; and
WHEREAS, Similarly, in Reconnecting Disadvantaged Young Men,
authors Peter Edelman, Harry Holzer, and Paul Offner analyze
racial, ethnic, educational, and employment characteristics of
young black men, finding that: (1) only half of black men between
the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in school are currently working;
(2) roughly one-third of young black men are in jail or prison or on
parole or probation at any time; and (3) 10 percent of young black
men have been disconnected from school and work for a year or more,
and if incarcerated populations are included, the rate rises to 17
percent; and
WHEREAS, A study of young black men in this state would help
Texas educators, service providers, and policy makers develop a
uniquely Texas approach to addressing what many social scientists
believe is America's most significant social problem; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Austin is ideally
qualified to lead a study by several Texas public universities on
the myriad social and economic issues relating to the number of
young black males in Texas between the ages of 14 and 25 who are
disconnected from work and family; and
WHEREAS, A leader in social science research, The University
of Texas at Austin boasts a School of Social Work that is well known
for its contributions to a growing body of knowledge about the human
condition, social issues, and service delivery systems to promote
the greater public good; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby request The University of Texas at Austin to lead a study by
several Texas public universities on the social and economic issues
relating to the number of unskilled black males in Texas between the
ages of 14 and 25 who are disconnected from work, family, and
society; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the University of Houston, Texas Southern
University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas Tech University, and
Texas A&M University also participate in the study, which is to
include an examination of how young black men in Texas are affected
by the benefits and detriments of living in this state; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the presidents of The University of Texas
at Austin, the University of Houston, Texas Southern University,
Prairie View A&M University, Texas Tech University, and Texas A&M
University.