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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep. Ronald
G. Waters |
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House adopts Waters resolution condemning racial intolerance
HARRISBURG, Dec. 7 -- The state House today unanimously adopted a resolution offered by state Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Phila./Delaware, that condemns racial intolerance and discrimination.
Waters said he has a responsibility as chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus to ensure people's rights are not violated because of their skin color.
Waters also said he decided to write the resolution this summer, with the help of other PLBC members and Majority Caucus Chairman Mark Cohen, D-Phila., when he learned that a private swim club in Huntingdon Valley asked more than 60 minority children from Creative Steps Day Camp, a summer camp in Northeast Philadelphia, to leave the pool, even though their parents had paid more than $1,900 to The Valley Swim Club.
"We live in a democracy and I am appalled that authorities at the pool would act in such an unprofessional manner to the point where they would kick children out based on the color of their skin. The owners of this establishment placed their personal prejudices before their professional duties," Waters said.
Cohen said he thought it was important to support the resolution, especially since this incident occurred so close to his legislative district.
"It is sad that it took an incident like children being asked to leave a pool because of the color of their skin to draw our attention to the lack of tolerance and racial discrimination that is still blatant in our nation. However, I am hopeful that this resolution will help us in our progress toward looking past one’s skin color and seeing people as individuals," Cohen said.
Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, D-Phila., PLBC secretary, said, "Although our nation has made progress over the years, it’s important for us to realize that racial bigotry is still relevant in today’s society. Incidents, such as the one that took place at The Huntingdon Valley Swim Club this past summer cannot and will not be tolerated."
PLBC member Rep. Joe Preston, D-Allegheny,
referred to some of the lyrics of the late singer,
Bob Marley and said, "The color of a man's skin should be of no more
significance than the color of his eyes." He added, "Unfortunately
those days just are not here yet."
Waters said he finds it hard to believe that this kind of discrimination is still happening in 2009, and he hopes his resolution (H.R.490) will bring attention to the need for racial tolerance.
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