WHEREAS, The criminalization of African American, Latino, and Asian and Pacific Islander youth continues to pervade our social, educational, political, and cultural systems; and

WHEREAS, Boys and men of color throughout California continue to face unnecessary hurdles in education, in opportunities to work, in public safety, and in other areas based on preconceived notions and fear; and

WHEREAS, The verdict in the case against George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin was deeply troubling to many young people and to Californians in general. Many have interpreted the ruling to signify that there are two separate but unequal justice systems for whites and nonwhites, that fearing a black and brown youth can justify the taking of a life, and that simply walking down the street or wearing certain clothes is viewed as criminal; and

WHEREAS, California’s boys and men of color face unique barriers on their road to adulthood. They are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods marked by poverty, violence, underfunded schools, and low-wage jobs; and

WHEREAS, In California, 35 percent of African American youth and 26 percent of Latino youth do not graduate from high school; and

WHEREAS, Young African American men experience homicide rates at least 16 times greater than that of young white men; and

WHEREAS, Racial profiling continues to exist throughout this state, and our young people deserve better; and

WHEREAS, It is essential that all Californians examine their prejudices and biases so that we can work toward a world in which all people are judged by the content of their character and their actions, and not by the color of their skin; and

WHEREAS, All lives are valuable, and none are disposable; and

WHEREAS, All people, regardless of the color of their skin, should be able to enjoy the basic liberty that many of us take for granted, including the freedom to walk down the street; and

WHEREAS, Laws like Florida’s Stand Your Ground law risk escalating minor confrontations with tragic results. We need to find ways to defuse conflicts, and not escalate them; and

WHEREAS, The best way to honor the memory of Trayvon Martin is to channel our pain and frustration into our work to create an inclusive California in which our communities need not fear our sons and brothers walking down the street; and

WHEREAS, Trayvon Martin’s death is not in vain. The tragedy is a catalyst to create a California that embraces and invests in the health and well-being of all young people. They are a source of strength, creativity, and economic dynamism, and not a group that should be feared or condemned. California’s diversity is its greatest strength and a competitive advantage; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature is taking action through legislation, budget decisions, and through the Legislative oversight function to ensure that the needs of California’s boys and men of color are a priority in state investments and programs; and

WHEREAS, The Assembly has established the Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color to help put our young people on a road to a healthy and successful adulthood because successful young people are not born, they are nurtured; now, therefore, be it