Tri-Caucus: Preserve Diversity Initiative

WASHINGTON - The Congressional Tri-Caucus has sent the following letter to the chairmen of the House Administration Committee and the House GOP transition team asking them to preserve and enhance the chamber’s staff diversity program in the 112th Congress:  

Dear Chairmen Brady and Walden,

As you plan our transition into the 112th Congress, we urge you to preserve and enhance the House-wide staff diversity initiative that was established in April of this year. The goal of the initiative, namely increasing workforce diversity and opportunities for diverse candidates, must continue to be an important priority for our nation.

The initiative was developed in consultation with House Republican Leader John Boehner and Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Dan Lungren, along with many years of planning by Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American, Black and Hispanic Caucuses. A shift in leadership should not affect the continuity of this important program.

The House-wide staff diversity initiative, with outreach and recruitment activities, is an important part of ensuring equal employment opportunities to candidates from all backgrounds and diverse representation of our multi-faceted nation within the House staff. We urge that the initiative not only be preserved, but that it be provided with the resources necessary to execute its important charge.

Thank you for your leadership and your consideration. Please continue to view the Congressional Tri-Caucus as a resource to you as you plan the transition into the next Congress.

Sincerely,
Michael M. Honda
Chair
Congressional Asian Pacific America Caucus

Barbara Lee
Chair
Congressional Black Caucus

Nydia M. Velazquez
Chair
Congressional Hispanic Caucus