ALLEGHE] + 3 ‘ | ALE CHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES \ igiStiadina Trav Anpny coy cea \ ee aa x ae plaaiee Seats 0 ao mony Sat ute 10,2008" Honorable George P. Honorable Georoa phar Ws Board of Commissioners P.O. Box 1295 Harrisburg, PA 17108- ‘ Honorable Hartwick, tl: “Vad the pleasure of attending the National Conference on FGOM (Family Group Decision Making), sponsored by the American Humane Association, in Tucson, Arizona, ‘June 2, 2008 to June 6, 2008. | have attended these conferences for the last eight years for 0 and each one becomes remarkably more enjoyable and educational. Unfortunately, at this year's conference my experience and the experience of two of my el Allegheny Ccunty coleagues was marred by a very disturbing event. 1am sure by now Jouure aware of the event that occurred on the evening of June 5°. For those recsiving 2s Nopy of Ihis cerrespondence | wil briefly summarize the offensive behavior you sisoeyear itis my hope that you are made aware ofthe impact that your duisve ang Factay offensive statements and jesters had onthe eocal and emotional well being of myself and my colleagues. fe were abruptly interrupted by your loud and boisterous, conversation vith members a your dinner lable, Yout fepeated use of te word conver ast unbelovabie to acknowiedge, We simply froze in dsbete, disgust and fear. 2s ot point my staff member began to cr. You men sted Jim, | know there are no et, but you are my main "MT. Other diners in the area appeared brothers arou! ‘pehavior was reprehensible and contrary tothe ind appalled. Your behav! ees oot ond focus of the American Humane's 2008 Conference on Family Group Decision Making Le rtonsive sil institute on Cultural Competency; perhaps you Z 1 conduct tl ne chop: While your behavior isan unfortunate realy of the.» should have a! WV gnide and raarginalized position affirmed by the denigrating perceptions continued racial ry yj that you wii! open dialogue with members of your fs held by 17 te of advancing Your personal development related to matters community for th i. In view of YOU teadership position, | believe it would be in the best well, serve in Dauphin County, both black ‘and white, to While having dinner, w jversity. ASW" 0 hae of th conse ye at cea acl ferences, embrace dversiy and ively engage s insular. acre nile ee ‘Gfce of Behavior Heat Office of Community SeesPage 2 My greatest hoy the county eatast hope however is that my colleagues from Pennsyvania inappropriate soared with you that evening and remained complacent during your Fee er eesand bigoted remarks wil appreciate how | felt and inthe future stand re contrary to what leaders and policy makers in Chita Wetors, - are presumed to represent. | wish you well. Sincerely, sufrree Hf, fusdineet Marcia M. Sturdivant, Ph.D. Deputy Director, Allegheny County Department of Human. Services Office of Children, Youth and. Families Jeffrey T. Haste, Chairman Dauphin County Board of Commissioners Dominic ("Nick") DiFrancesco, II Dauphin County Board of Commissioners Stanley Lawson, President NAACP — Harrisburg J. Wyatt Mondesire, President ee NAACP — Pennsylvania : M. Gayle Moss, President NAACP — Pittsburgh Lisa Merkel, Director FGDM — American Humane Association Tanisha Perry, Manager , : Allegheny County Children, Youth & Families Barbara Williams, Director FACE Macedonia Baptist Church