Brown leads Senate resolution to declare racism a public health crisis

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, will introduce a Senate resolution to declare racism a public health crisis, he announced in news conference call Wednesday.

Sens. Cory Booker, D-NJ, and Kamala Harris, D-CA, join Brown in leading the resolution.

The push was spurred by the coronavirus pandemic's disproportionate effect on Black communities and the nationwide protests for racial justice after the death of George Floyd in police custody on Memorial Day, Brown said.

"The pandemic has been the great revealer to expose what Black Ohioans already knew — that racism threatens their health, their safety and their lives every day," said Brown.

Brown added the resolution honors the legacy of civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who died July 17 of pancreatic cancer.

News of the Senate resolution comes as cities, counties and states across the country have passed similar declarations.

On Wednesday's call, Hamilton County Commissioner Victoria Parks, who spearheaded her county's resolution, described its impact. It increases training for Hamilton County employees, expands the county office of economic inclusion and mandates a county-focused disparities study.

Youngstown City Council approved a local resolution last month on Juneteenth, a commemoration of end of slavery in the United States.

While Brown does not count on Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell moving on this resolution, Brown hopes that it advances public debate and can be passed in the future.

This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Brown leads Senate resolution to declare racism a public health crisis."