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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 25, 2013 04:32 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Anthony H. Williams |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Resolution - Acts of intolerance in the Coatesville Area School District |
| Media reports about the disturbing sense of comfort recent leadership officials in the Coatesville Area School District enjoyed in racially disparaging the children they were hired to serve, guide, and protect have raised alarm. The betrayal of the public trust by the now-resigned superintendent and high school athletic director no doubt hastened an initially quiet departure, as both engaged in a series of text message exchanges featuring incendiary content. Their stated views – using district-issued equipment – proved neither is fit for the field of education. Most discomfiting about these revelations is that both men held positions of power, with the ability to act upon their discriminatory and racially insensitive outlook, to the detriment of the advancement of all children who were in their charge. Their reported exchanges fell far short of accepted boundaries for free speech, even those of distasteful speech. Be it unwarranted and inflammatory comments hurled during a concert – as a constituent in my district has traveled to Camden, N.J. to do publicly, twice – or unfurling symbols of intolerance and hatred, such behavior is contrary to our tradition in Pennsylvania. Moreover, it merits the strongest rebuke when said participants are responsible for shaping the minds of our next generation of citizens, as were Richard Como and Jim Donato. This resolution not only condemns those guilty of this infraction in Coatesville, but also reiterates that the Pennsylvania State Senate vigorously embraces all humanity and stands opposed to intolerance, discrimination, or exclusion based on race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status. I ask that you join me as a co-sponsor of this resolution and in affirming the value of every child and every resident in this ethnically diverse Chester County community, as well as those throughout our entire Commonwealth. Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please contact my office at 787-5970. |
Introduced as SR198