COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 1, 2000 1:00 PM
STAFF: ETTERE, CHANG (BOL)
The meeting was called to order 1:00 pm.
Chair Young stated that he had asked Republican Legislators to serve on this Committee. He has not heard any response and will follow-up.
Chair Young suggested that the Committee establish a quorum at two (2). Legislator Bronz made the motion, seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0. Legislator Bronz made a motion that the Committee still meets on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm, seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0.
Item #2 is a letter from Hon. Louis Mosiello and Hon. George Latimer requesting that the Board adopt an appropriate Resolution at the
February 28th meeting designating March, 2000 as Irish History
Month. The Committee has prepared a Resolution designating March, 2000 as Irish History and Heritage Month. Legislator Bronz made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0.
Chair Young and Christopher Chang has met with a representative from the Department of Planning to look at two sites for the MLK Statue. Chair Young would like to have the members of the MLK Statue Committee do the same at a March meeting. Chair Young was pleased to say that Mr. Sherrill has received some funding from the Westchester Arts Council (WAC) for this project. Legislator Bronz stated she was featured in the WAC newsletter recently and that the author mentioned the MLK Statue Project.
MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2000
PAGE 2
Legislator Bronz was in Washington, DC last week for the Joint Center for Political Studies National Policy Council Institute. On the top of its agenda was a full day conference on HIV/AIDS. The Black Caucus, out of Washington, has managed to secure funds dedicated to the AIDS crisis in the African-American community. Legislator Bronz feels that we should do something about it here in Westchester. Legislator Bronz would like to meet jointly with the Health Committee. She would also like the BOL to lobby State representatives to review the language and complexity of the application for the Child+ Health Insurance (which has recently extended its health care benefits to adults). In connection with this coverage, there are funds that can be allocated to every community-based organization so that families can register anywhere (e.g. churches, schools, and supermarkets).
Chair Young recognized that Legislator Bronz is the Chair of the Special Committee on Housing. He would like this Committee to meet jointly with the Housing Committee to discuss issues concerning minorities in Westchester County.
On motion from Legislator Bronz, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm.