80R155 CLE-D

By:  Dutton                                                     H.C.R. No. 24 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Two studies published in January 2006 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 80th 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.