85R14889 KSM-D     By: Dutton H.C.R. No. 96       CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, 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 85th 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.