[This is a verbatim copy of the resolution as part of the record, currently on Sire]

[Update 5/12/24 There is now a companion resolution, Resolution 2024-344 that establishes the Racial Reconciliation Committee]

A Resolution Acknowledging Tampa’s history which contributed to a complex system of racially motivated discrimination against African Americans; formally apologizing to all former and current African American residents of the City of Tampa for any and all past participation in the damage this shameful history has caused: declaring support for the creation of a reconciliation commission with a mission of studying and developing proposals to redress the enduring negative effects of the institutions of slavery and the subsequent systemic discrimination directed at Tampa’s African American residents by promoting racial and social equity; providing an effective date.

WHEREAS, in order for the City of Tampa to fully embrace the change necessary to move our community forward, the City Council believes it is necessary to recognize and acknowledge the slavery that flourished in the State of Florida and in Tampa constituted an immoral and inhumane deprivation of Africans’ life and liberty; and

WHEREAS, following the abolition of slavery, Tampa continued to perpetuate, condone, andprofit from practices that continued to brutalize and disadvantage African Americans, including sharecropping, convict leasing, Jim Crow laws, redlining, unequal education, and disproportionate treatment at the hands of the criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, such practices were often overt, but more often covertly adopted or incorporated under the guise of legitimate policy, and. formed a complex system of racially motivated discrimination against African Americans, including economic, political, educational, and social discrimination, resulting in African Americans continuing to suffer debilitating economic, educational, and health adversities; and

WHEREAS, to heal and not to divide, the City Council oftho City of Tampa seeks to redress the harms of those who came before us and the injustices that continue to surround us so that we do what we can to make the City of Tampa and its institutions and communities more just and equitable for future generations.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THH CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA:

Section 1. The city council hereby acknowledges Tampa’s history which contributed to a complex system of racially motivated discrimination against African Americans, and formally apologizes to all formei. and current African American residents of the City of Tampa for the damage this shameful history has caused.

Section 2. The City Council apologizes for any and all past participation in sanctioning segregation and systemic discrimination of African Americans.

Section 3. The City Council of Tampa hereby declares its support for the creation of a reconciliation commission, with a mission of studying and developing proposals to redress the enduring negative effects of the institutions of slavery and the subsequent systemic discrimination directed at Tampa’s African American residents by promoting racial and social equity. Such a commission may address:

a. Public-private partnerships to encourage and facilitate investment in low-income areas to reduce inequality in income and wealth by making targeted and thoughtful investments to uplift both low-income communities and communities of color;

b. Reforms to policing that reduce racial disparities and provide for the safety and vitality of communities of color and ensure representation and advancement of African Americans and other persons of color amongst the officers that serve the City ofTampa and such communities;

c. Policies that eliminate the disproportionate mass incarceration of people of color and provide opportunities for meaningful rehabilitation and reentry into the community for those affected by such incarceration;

d. Policies that protect the right to vote from discrimination based on race;

e. Strategies that promote race-neutral policies in education, employment, healthcare and housing;

and

f. Policies and programs that educate City of Tampa residents about the injustice of slavery and racial discrimination.

Section 4. That the proper officers of the City of Tampa are hereby authorized to do all things necessary and proper in order to carry out and make effective the provisions of this resolution.

Section 5. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Tampa, FL Sep. 03 2020