Res. No. 1188
Resolution calling upon the United States Department of Defense to closely examine its policies around cultural diversity and sensitivity and to impose more effective and comprehensive training regiments for military personnel in cultural awareness, diversity and sensitivity to prevent the discrimination and harassment of all military personnel, including servicemen and women within its ranks.
By Council Members Chin, the Speaker (Council Member Quinn), Eugene, Rose, Weprin, Wills, Vann, Dromm, Arroyo, Barron, Brewer, Comrie, Dickens, Garodnick, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Mealy, Mendez, Nelson, Palma, Recchia, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Williams, Lappin, Rodriguez, Rivera, Levin, Vacca, Reyna, Ferreras, Crowley, Fidler, Van Bramer, Mark-Viverito, Gentile, Cabrera, Greenfield, Koo, Foster, Dilan, Gennaro, Ignizio and the Public Advocate (Mr. de Blasio)
Whereas, The United States Army encompasses 1.5 million personnel across the active, reserve, civilian and contractor sectors; and
Whereas, One of its central sources of strength is the diversity of its workforce; and
Whereas, While the Army was at the forefront of racial integration in the 1950s and today is reputed to be one of the most diverse organizations in the United States, further progress needs to be made to prevent discrimination and harassment within its ranks; and
Whereas, While race is often the sole focus when the subject of diversity is addressed, diversity includes a wide spectrum of an individual's primary features, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, and the term also encompasses secondary features, including communication style, work style, socio-economic status, and geographic origin; and
Whereas, According to Army regulations, military personnel are encouraged to treat others with dignity and respect; and
Whereas, Hazing is defined in Army regulations as any conduct whereby one military member or employee, regardless of service or rank, unnecessarily causes another military member or employee, regardless of service or rank, to suffer or be exposed to an activity that is cruel, abusive, oppressive, or harmful, and any such hazing is prohibited; and
Whereas, Families of American servicemen and women have an expectation that their loved ones will be adequately protected from any and all forms of discrimination and harassment, including, but not limited to, hazing while serving in the military both domestically and when outside of the confines of the territory of the United States; and
Whereas, The military must do more to protect the lives of its enlisted servicemen and women who trust that their selfless acts, commitment and sacrifices to serve and protect the ideas and principles of democracy domestically and abroad, during times of peace and times of war will be regarded with respect and fair treatment; and
Whereas, The recent and tragic circumstances surrounding the death of New York City Army Private Danny Chen highlights the need for greater initial scrutiny and periodic evaluations of those men and women who seek to serve and those who are already serving in the armed forces, to aid in the identification of those individuals who are more prone to behave in a reprehensible manner; and
Whereas, Regular and ongoing anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training, specifically geared towards enhancing and heightening cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity and cultural diversity is needed in all branches of the military; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Department of Defense to closely examine its policies around cultural diversity and sensitivity and to impose more effective and comprehensive training regiments for military personnel in cultural awareness, diversity and sensitivity to prevent the discrimination and harassment of all military personnel, including servicemen and women within its ranks.
LS# 3179
RC
12/29/11, 12:00 pm