North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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December 27, 2002
Governor John Hoeven Dept. 101 600 E. Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0001
RE: North Dakota Commission on Human Rights
Dear Governor Hoeven:
I am writing to ask for your support for a North Dakota Commission on Human Rights. You may recall our organization's request for a North Dakota Commission on Human Rights in the 2001 legislative session. While some human rights concerns were addressed in that session, we believe that there are still advances to be made, and that a North Dakota Commission on Human Rights would be the resource for those advances.
The North Dakota Commission on Human Rights that we are proposing would be an adjunct to the Division of Human Rights in the North Dakota Department of Labor. It would augment the Division of Human Rights' work, not replace or supplant the Division within the Department of Labor.
As you may know, the Statewide Talent Pool Strategy within the GNDA-sponsored New Economy Initiative has identified establishing a human rights commission as one strategy to show that North Dakota is able to embrace a more diverse culture. As that strategy states, it is clear that "[y]ounger workers are looking for a quality of life experience that includes diverse cultures. A global economy can only be achieved with a diverse workforce, and diverse cultural groups have proved their willingness to move to and live in North Dakota if they are welcomed."
This statement is also supported by the North Dakota Data Center's Student Focus Groups: 2001 Survey, in which it was recommended that communities recognize and celebrate diversity. This survey was sponsored by the Fargo-Cass Economic Development Corporation, the Moorhead Economic Development Authority and the Valley City-Barnes County Economic Development Corporation. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into students' career goals and the motivational factors that aid them in selecting employment and their community of residence.
The goal was to identify key information regarding labor issues for the growth and development of the area.
I am a member of the Fargo Human Relations Commission and, through the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, I have been of assistance to Dickinson and Bismarck as those communities established local human relations commissions. The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition believes that a North Dakota Commission on Human Rights would present to prospective North Dakota residents the commitment of the state of North Dakota to embrace diversity and address the issues that greater diversity would bring. It is this reasoning that underlies the Statewide Talent Pool Strategy recommendation, also. I am enclosing two fact sheets which outline the proposed North Dakota Commission on Human Rights. We are suggesting following the model in Colorado, in which there is a Colorado Civil Rights Division and a Colorado Human Rights Commission; the dual model has been in existence since 1981. The cost would be very low; Colorado's Human Rights Commission operates on $5,000 to $6,000 per year. The commission members are volunteers and the Colorado Civil Rights Division provides the staff support for the Colorado Human Rights Commission.
I welcome any questions you may have and I would be interested in meeting with you or a member of your staff to answer any questions. I can be reached at (701) 239-9323 or at cherylbergian@ndhrc.org. More information about the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is available at www.ndhrc.org; we are in the process of having legislation drafted that follows the model in the enclosed fact sheets.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Bergian Director
C: Mark Bachmeier, Labor Commissioner
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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