NACo to take a lead role in the
president's initiative on race reconciliation

The White House has asked NACo to take a lead role in President Clinton's efforts to promote a stronger, more united American community by identifying successful county government- and private sector- sponsored diversity and race reconciliation programs. NACo has also been asked to identify local leaders who will help advance the goals of the Clinton initiative through community dialogue and education.

In June, Clinton launched his one year initiative, with goals of,

• articulating the vision of a just, unified America
• educating the nation about facts surrounding the issue of race
• promoting a dialogue to discuss the issues surrounding race
• recruiting and encouraging leadership at all levels to help bridge racial divides; and
• finding, developing and implementing solutions for society, including local governments, at all levels.

President Clinton will lead several Town Hall meetings to promote his initiative. (The first is scheduled for Dec. 3.) He will showcase promising practices on race and recruit local leaders who will assist with the goals of the initiative.

Many NACo member counties and leaders have already demonstrated their commitment to incorporating racial and cultural diversity into the everyday activities in their counties. To highlight their accomplishements, NACo will publish a collection of program information from its multicultural diversity award program.

In addition, NACo, in conjunction with the consulting firm of Winner/Wagner & Associates, will be contacting counties around the country soliciting profiles of promising programs and practices. The best programs will be compiled into a promising practices publication, which will be published during the late winter, and also referred to the president for inclusion in his national report due out next summer.

For further information about this program, please contact Jacqueline Byers: 202/942-4285; e-mail: <jbyers@naco.org>; or fax a profile of your program to 202/737-0480.