BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill Disaster

Adopted as amended

WHEREAS, the BP oil spill has and will cause massive disruption to the economic, ecological and social life of the US Gulf Coast from Florida through Texas; and 

WHEREAS, this BP oil spill disaster is further compounding the enormous immediate and long term structural risks to life, health, culture, property, and businesses associated with the 2010 hurricane season; and 

WHEREAS, Gulf Coast people of color make up 30% or more of the region's population, but other than a few BP and federal officials and employees, they have been excluded from Federal, State, County, Parish and BP leadership positions in emergency response planning, policy development, contracting, academic modeling of solutions, as well as higher paying employment opportunities; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP, the oldest and largest civil rights/human rights organization in the United States, has used its organizational resources and prestige to lead the effort to provide people of color and local constituencies along the Gulf Coast with opportunities for inclusion; and 

WHEREAS, there is still a need to provide advocacy for those who are negatively impacted by the BP Oil Spill Disaster; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP has sent a letter to BP International Headquarters, expressing grave concerns over the disaster and recommending corrective actions. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP call on all Disaster related Federal Government entities including, but not limited to, the Department of Homeland Security, EPA, HUD, Department of Interior and the Gulf Coast's Federal Unified Area Command, to ensure that NAACP representatives are included on all disaster planning, policy and response executive management teams; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on all Governors, County and Parish Presidents and Executives to ensure that NAACP representatives are included on their disaster planning, policy and response executive management teams; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on all Federal, State, County and Parish, as well as, local governments create local small and minority owned business contracting participation goals consistent with the population ratios of these areas; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on the White House to convene a meeting with NAACP representatives on the Gulf Coast and the Administrator of the Gulf Claims Facility to ensure that his plans include a diversity inclusion contracting and employment process; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP reiterate our request that BP officials meet with NAACP representatives to review our requests and suggestions and the BP response; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, we call on all individuals and organizations to endorse and sign the Call to Action by signing the petition located on the NAACP's website at www.naacp.org.