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This the 18th day of May, 2004 <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />7. Special Presentations <br />a. Final Report an Human Services Issues Forum 2003: Fifty Years After Brown <br />v. Board of Education <br />The Board received a presentation of the Final Report of Human Services Issues Forum <br />2003, Fifty Years after Brawn V. Board of Education: How African Americans in Orange County <br />are Faring in Education, Health and Economic Opportunity. <br />GWEN HARVEY <br />LINDA TUTAY AND ROSETTA WASH - CO-CHAIRS, HUMAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE <br />Assistant County Manager Gwen Harvey said that 50 years ago yesterday, on May 17, <br />1954, the U. S. Supreme Court, by unanimous decision decreed that public schools should no <br />longer be segregated in America. On September 10, 2003, the Human Services Advisory <br />Commission of Orange County held its 13th annual Human Services Issues Forum an this <br />theme. She introduced the co-chairs of the Human Advisory Committee -Linda Tutay from the <br />United Way and Rosetta Wash from the InterFaith Council. <br />Linda Tutay said that they are proud to present this report. She spoke about the history <br />of Brown vs. Board of Education. She said that many of the complex problems that existed <br />then, still exist now -affirmative action, under fire, schools and classrooms being racially <br />identified, gaps in academic achievement, and economic disparities in population groups. She <br />said that she was very involved in the planning of the forum but was unable to attend because <br />she tore her ACL playing tennis. She said that the forum allowed citizens to look and reflect an <br />the past and look at how to move forward together. <br />Rosetta Wash said that the day was defined by activism, diversity, and memory. There <br />were over 150 participants. She said that the HSAC has developed three recommendations <br />{page 13}. The HSAC calls upon the Board of County Commissioners to continue its social <br />commitment and progressive leadership by pressing the two school districts to join forces and <br />share resources that would support high educational goals for all students in the County, by <br />pushing forward with a social justice goal that would promote a safety net for families still <br />struggling and at risk, and by prodding all state agencies and community partners and health <br />care providers to work for progress that would eliminate the disparities that still exist. She <br />thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its support of the HSAC and the forums over <br />the years. <br />Chair Jacobs said that they appreciate all of the efforts put into the forum. He said that <br />the Board would take these recommendations into consideration, especially since they are <br />things that the Board already agrees with. <br />8. Public Hearings-NONE <br />9. Items for Decision--Regular Agenda <br />a. Southern Orange Senior Center Location on Southern Human Services Center <br />Site <br />The Board considered approving a building footprint on the Southern Human Services <br />Center site for the Southern Orange Senior Center. <br />