EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 15

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama is blessed with a population consisting of diverse racial and ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, Asians, Native Americans, and others;

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama has a unique history in the promotion of civil rights for minorities, and the courage and boldness of our citizens is a testament to the bedrock principles on which our state and country were founded;

WHEREAS, the lives and well-being of the minorities and women in the State of Alabama are foundational to the success of our state;

WHEREAS, representation and participation by minorities and women in business, government, education and society should be encouraged, and any discriminatory practices, whether as applied or facially, should be identified and stopped; and,

WHEREAS, state government lacks adequate knowledge of the various issues affecting minorities and women, and appropriate resources and training should be allocated to identify and address these issues.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons related thereto, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby create and establish the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (the Office), to advise the Governor on issues affecting minorities, including women, focusing on the improvement of the overall quality of life of minorities, specifically in the areas of education, health, economics, political participation and empowerment, housing, employment, civil rights, criminal justice and race relations.

BE IT ORDERED, that the Office shall be managed by a Director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Director shall act as a liaison between minority communities and the Governor, with duties including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Conduct community outreach throughout the state to assess and address issues facing women and minorities
  1. Ensure that all women and minorities are better represented and receive equal access in areas such as business development, education, health care, housing, government services, and criminal justice matters
  1. Encourage public debate on issues affecting Alabama minority populations, including open access to public services and fair and equitable implementation of public policy
  1. Assess efforts by state agencies to assist women and minorities, promoting self-sufficiency through education and training
  1. Collaborate with business and industry representatives, the Alabama Workforce Council, higher education stakeholders and the Alabama Small Business Commission to facilitate identification of minority and women-owned businesses and to provide recommendations on how to better foster economic development opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, with the goal of increasing the number of minority and women-owned businesses
  1. Advise the Governor concerning the coordination and administration of state programs serving minority populations
  1. Monitor existing legislation and programs designed to meet the needs of minorities
  1. Research and analyze all areas affecting the quality of life of minorities
  1. Such other duties affecting women and minorities, as assigned by the Governor

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that an Advisory Board on Minority Affairs (the Board) is hereby created to act as a resource for the Director in an advisory capacity. The Board shall be comprised of representatives from various racial and ethnic communities, female representation, state government officials, and experts in education and work-force. The Board will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon its execution and shall remain in effect until amended or modified by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 9th day of March, 2016.

Robert Bentley
Governor

Attested

John H. Merrill
Secretary of State

 

Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov