Posted: | April 12, 2018 10:55 AM |
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From: | Representative Ed Gainey |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | AIA PA Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Resolution |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution recognizing the efforts of the Pennsylvania architectural community to promote equity, diversity and inclusion within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. We as elected officials have a responsibility to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to employment and economic opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious belief, or geographic location. An equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce is necessary to ensure both the continued growth and prosperity of Pennsylvania businesses and the economic health and well-being of its citizens. The American Institute of Architects of Pennsylvania (AIA Pennsylvania) founded in 1909, is a state-wide chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) which represents nearly 3,000 members in the Commonwealth. AIA Pennsylvania has made efforts to increase their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by encouraging individuals who may have been previously shut out of reasonable access to the profession of architecture. These efforts include the formation of the AIA Pennsylvania Strategic Council, the Paula Maynes ARE Grant for recent graduates pursuing licensure, the Firms Fostering Emerging Professional Development Recognition, and proposed legislation (SB 459) establishing the Neighborhood Restoration Act. AIA Pennsylvania and the greater Pennsylvania architecture community understand that an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace allows architects to meet the needs of public and private clients more effectively and results in buildings that are more responsive to their communities. AIA Pennsylvania, it’s local components (AIA Bucks County, AIA Central PA, AIA Eastern PA, AIA Middle PA, AIA Northeastern PA, AIA Northwestern PA, AIA Philadelphia, AIA Pittsburgh), and AIA are committed to continuing their work to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the architectural community and in the workplace. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation to ensure that the architects in our Commonwealth are creating role models that all of our children can identify with and designing the built environment to be more responsive to the communities that we all represent. |
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View Attachment |
Introduced as HR836