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Box 14, Folder 17, Complete Folder
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Text
STATEMENT
ATLANTA URBAN COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 29, 1967
During the last two decades accelerated migration from the farms, vastly
increased living standards, the automobile, and other social and economic
factors have changed our nation from rural to urban. Three-fourths of
America's 200 million citizens now live in cities.
This rapid urbanization is unparrelled in any nation in world history.
And the problems forced upon communities unprepared for this dramatic
change is likewise unmatched in the development of national populations,
For ten years or more economists, sociologists, political scientists,
and others have urged action by local, state and federal governments to
plan and implement programs to meet this changing environment.
In urban areas local governments possessed neither the fiscal nor human
resources in sufficient quanity and quality to do more than brace the dike
against the on-rushing tide.
State government turned a deaf ear.
The federal government expressed concern, established some promising
programs and formed a new Department of Housing and Urban Development
to deal with city problems. But the Congress in too many instances failed
to register the sense of urgency the urban crises demand, with an apparent
unawareness of the critical dimensions of the problem, the nation's
resources have been allocated to the race for space, agricultural supports
and defense - but little to the needs of the cities.
The result is now a tragic chapter in American history. Riots, racial
disturbances, civil disobedience in city after city throughout all parts of
the country have cast a lasting imprint of inaction and indifference,
And in each troubled area the story is the same: Poor people. Lack of job
skills. Unemployment. Unsound housing. Inadequate parks, schools.
Absense of realistic municipal services, Lack of motivation. Loss of
faith and of hope.
What can be done?
Nothing short of a total commitment of all community resources and a
reassessment of priorities by our national government can produce results
Page Two
on a scale large enough to sufficiently change the direction of our
cities.
It isn't enough that we have a city government of concern and compassion
for the problems of the poor and disadvantaged. This same concern and
compassion must be felt by business and by labor, by education and by
our religious institutions and our civil rights leadership.
The necessity for cooperation and coordination of resources has been
recognized by leaders of these sectors of our environment at the national
level. As a result an Urban Coalition has been formed to seek ways to
mobilize the unused resources throughout the urban areas of the nation
and to do battle with urban blight.
The Steering Committee of the national Urban Coalition has called upon
our businessmen, our churchmen, our educators and our labor unions
to join with our mayors and public officials to develop and implement
programs which will provide jobs, decent housing, education and a better
life for those trapped in the current of the urban crises.
The Coalition met in an emergency convocation and adopted a statement
of principles of great promise, It called upon local government, business,
labor, religion and civil rights groups to create counterpart local
coalitions to support and supplement this declaration of principles.
We believe the very essence of success of the national Urban Coalition
lies in the development of strong local coalitions,
Past and present efforts in Atlanta to build a great city and to meet the
needs of urban growth have resulted directly from an unstructured
coalition of leadership in all areas of community life.
We believe our chances for continued and expanded successes can be
made possible only through mobilization and full utilization of all resources
available to us.
We, therefore, pledge ourselves to work together in an Atlanta Urban
Coalition for the betterment of our community, and urge all groups and
organizations to join us in our efforts.
Page Three
We further endorse the declaration of principles of the national
Coalition and pledge to lend our talents and our labors to their
fulfillment.
Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor of Atlanta
Al Bows, Vice President
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Robert J. Butler, President
Atlanta Labor Council
Dr. John W. Letson
Superintendent
Atlanta Public Schools
Dr. Harmon Moore, Executive Director
Christian Council of Metropolitan
Atlanta, Inc.
Erwin Stevens, President
Citizens Central Advisory Council
Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.
Reverend Samuel Williams
Co-Chairman
Summit Leadership Conference
CHRISTIAN COUNCIL, “lh |ROPOUITAN ATLANTA
oe tall /’ /
Ne Se ee
53 SIXTH STREETS N"E., ATLANTAs"GEORGIA 39308, PHONE 872-5678
ae
—_
November 8, 1967
The Honorable Ivan Allen, Mayor
City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mayor Allen:
In request to your letter of October 26, 1967 | am happy to report that the Executive Board
of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta is pleased with the draft prepared by Mr. Dan
Sweat and has no suggested changes.
Please feel free to call upon us if there is any way we might support more fully this outstanding
piece of pioneer service to our community.
Sincerely yours,
Sis drmon eee Ve a
ns Director
HDM:msb
Offering the 31d Dimension to 5 Growing Counties
DR. L. BEVEL JONES WELFARE & SOCIAL SERVICES GA. ASSOC. FOR PASTORAL CARE DR. HARMON D. MOORE
PRESIDENT 873-2108 523-4711 - EXT. 207 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
872-5678 872-5678
RADIO AND TV
872-5678
DRAFT
STATEMENT OF ATLANTA URBAN COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE
DURING THE LAST TWO DECADES ACCELERATED MIGRATION
FROM THE FARMS, VASTLY INCREASED LIVING STANDARDS, THE
AUTOMOBILE, AND OTHER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS HAVE
CHANGED OUR NATION FROM RURAL TO URBAN,
THREE-FOURTHSOF AMERICA'S 190 MILLION CITIZENS NOW LIVE
IN CITIES,
THIS RAPID URBANIZATION IS UNPARRELLED IN ANY NATION IN
WORLD HISTORY. AND THE PROBLEMS FORCED UPON COMMUNITIES
UNPREPARED FOR THIS DRAMATIC CHANGE IS LIKEWISE UNMATCHED
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL POPULATIONS,
FOR TEN YEARS OR MORE ECONOMISTS, SOCIOLOGISTS, POLITICAL
SCIENTISTS, AND OTHERS HAVE URGED ACTION BY LOCAL, STATE AND
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO
MEET THIS CHANGING ENVIRONMENT,
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - URBAN CITIES - POSSESSED NEITHER
THE FISCAL NOR HUMAN RESOURGES IN SUFFICIENT QUANITY AND
QUALITY TO DO MORE THAN BRACE THE DIKE AGAINST THE ON-RUSHING.
TIDE,
PAGE TWO ®
STATE GOVERNMENT TURNED A DEAF EAR,
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED CONCERN, ESTABLISHED
SOME PROMISING PROGRAMS AND FORMED A NEW DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO DEAL WITH CITY PROBLEMS,
BUT THE CONGRESS FAILED TO REGISTER THE SENSE OF URGENCY OF
THE URBAN CRISES, AND OBLIVIOUS TO THE IMPENDING DOOM ALLOCATED
THE NATIONAL DOLLAR TO THE RACE FOR SPACE, AGRICULTURAL
SUPPORTS AND DEFENSE,
THE RESULT IS NOW A TRAGIC CHAPTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY,
RIOTS, RACIAL DISTURBANCES, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN CITY AFTER
CITY THROUGHOUT ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE CAST A LASTING
IMPRINT OF INACTION AND INDIFFERENCE,
AND IN EACH TROUBLED AREA THE STORY IS THE SAME: POOR
PEOPLE, LACK OF JOB SKILLS, UNEMPLOYMENT, UNSOUND HOUSING,
INADEQUATE PARKS, SCHOOLS, ABSENCE OF REALISTIC MUNICIPAL
SERVICES, LACK OF MOTIVATION, LOSS OF FAITH AND OF HOPE,
‘
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
NOTHING SHORT OF A TOTAL COMMITMENT OF ALL COMMUNITY
RESOURCES AND A REASSESSMENT OF PRIORITIES BY OUR NATIONAL
PAGE THREE
GOVERNMENT CAN PRODUCE RESULTS ON A SCALE LARGE ENOUGH TO
SUFFICIENTLY CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF OUR CITIES,
IT ISN'T ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE A CITY GOVERNMENT OF
CONCERN AND COMPASSION FOR THE PROBLEMS OF THE POOR AND
“DISADVANTAGED, THIS SAME CONCERN AND COMPASSION MUST BE FELT
BY BUSINESS AND BY LABOR, BY EDUCATION AND BY OUR RELIGIOUS
INSTITUTIONS AND OUR CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERSHIP,
.THE NECESSITY FOR COOPERATION AND COORDINATION OF
RESOURCES HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY LEADERS OF THESE SECTORS OF
OUR ENVIRONMENT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, AS A RESULT AN
URBAN COALITION HAS BEEN FORMED TO SEEK WAYS TO MOBILIZE
THE UNUSED RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE URBAN CITIES AND TO DO
BATTLE WITH URBAN BLIGHT.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL URBAN COALITION
HAS CALLED UPON OUR BUSINESSMEN, OUR CHURCHMEN, OUR EDUCATORS
AND OUR LABOR UNIONS TO JOIN WITH OUR MAYORS AND PUBLIC
OFFICIALS TO: DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS WHICH WILL PROVIDE
JOBS, DECENT HOUSING, EDUCATION AND A BETTER LIFE FOR THOSE
TRAPPED IN THE CURRENT OF THE URBAN CRISES,
PAGE FOUR
THE COALITION MET IN AN EMERGENCY CONVOCATION AND
ADOPTED A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES OF GREAT PROMISE, IT
CALLED UPON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, LABOR, RELIGION
AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS TO CREATE COUNTERPART LOCAL COALITIONS
TOSUPPORT AND SUPPLEMENT THIS DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES,
WE BELIEVE THE VERY ESSENCE OF SUCCESS OF THE NATIONAL
URBAN COALITION LIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG LOCAL
COALITIONS,
PAST AND PRESENT EFFORTS IN ATLANTA TO BUILD A GREAT
CITY AND TO MEET THE NEEDS OF URBAN GROWTH HAVE RESULTED
DIRECTLY FROM AN UNSTRUCTURED COALITION OF LEADERSHIP IN
ALL AREAS OF COMMUNITY LIFE,
WE BELIEVE OUR CHANCES FOR CONTINUED AND EXPANDED
SUCCESSES CAN BE MADE POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH MOBILIZATION
AND FULL UTILIZATION OF ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US,
WE, THEREFORE, PLEDGE OURSELVES TO WORK TOGETHER
‘
IN AN ATLANTA URBAN COALITION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF GIR
COMMUNITY, AND URGE ALL GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN
US IN OUR EFFORTS,
PAGE FIVE .
WE FURTHER ENDORSE THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
OF THE NATIONAL COALITION AND PLEDGE TO LEND OUR TALENTS
AND OUR LABORS TO THEIR FULFILLMENT,
IVAN ALLEN, JR.
MAYOR OF ATLANTA
AUGUSTUS H, STERNE, PRESIDENT
ATLANTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SAMUEL WILLIAMS
CO-CHAIRMAN
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
ROBERT J. BUTLER
PRESIDENT
ATLANTA LABOR COUNCIL
REV. BEVEL JONES, PRESIDENT
CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF METROPOLITAN ATLANTA, INC,
DR, JOHN W, LETSON
SUPERINTENDENT
ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ERWIN STEVENS, PRESIDENT
CITIZENS CENTRAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ATLANTA, INC,
‘
r
DISCUSSION PAPER
Chicago Conference
Mobilizing Urban Coalitions
Chicago Circle Center, University of Illinois October 17th, 1967
Introduction
With any new national effort such as that being undertaken by The Urban
Coalition, it may be expected that organizational structure methods will
continue to undergo change. For this reason The Urban Coalition is under-
standably following a flexible course of action. The ideas set forth in
this Metaiées paper may be expected to undergo further change as they are
subject to continuing review by both national and local leadership. The
views of those interested in The Urban Coalition are invited and welcome.
Goals
Based upon the Statement of Principles, Goals and Commitments adopted at the
August Emergency Convocation, The Urban Coalition's program may be restated
as follows:
1. To encourage the Congress to respond affirmatively to the needs
of the cities.
2. To encourage public concern with the needs of the cities,
3. To stimulate greater private initiative and effort in dealing with
the problems of the cities, including both investment and technical
assistance,
‘ ‘
4. To stimulate greater support for and interest in ongcing efforts to
meet such needs as:
--job development and manpower training programs
--open housing efforts
--urban renewal and reconstruction
\
Page :-Two
--anti-poverty programs
--programs to overcome educational disparities.
Methods
Among the methods that may be followed by The Urban Coalition are the
following:
1. Be supportive, not operational. It is expected that The Urban
Coalition will support ongoing efforts at both the local and national levels.
It may stimulate new undertakings. It will cooperate with such major new .
efforts as the $1 billion investment allocation of the insurance industry
for center city development. It will give support to local urban coalitions.
2a Stimulate interest in successful examples of action. Through its
Task Forces The Urban Coalition will identify, work with, and publicize
successful efforts to expand employment, extend lower income housing and
equal housing opportunities, new educational programs and the like. The
Task Forces hope to serve as catalysts and convenors. They will serve as
clearinghouses of local action.
BY Work with the mass media. Through its Task Force on Communications
and Public Support and through counterpart committees at the local level,
it is hoped that the mass media can be encouraged to focus greater attention
on the needs of cities. Broad public understanding of the need for greater
resources, of the complexities of the problems involved and the need for
urgent action are essential if the goals of The Urban Coalition are to be
achieved.
Page: Three p
4, To coordinate a national legislative campaign. The Urban Coalition
has called upon Congress for action across a broad front to meet the urban
crisis. Interpreting and emphasizing the need for national action is as
much a local obligation as it is a commitment of the National Steering
Committee. Discussions with members of Congress is as much a hometown
affair as are appearances before Congressional committees.
Structures
The National Steering Committee at the present time consists of thirty-six
members. They are broadly representative of business, labor, local govern-
ment, religion, civil rights and education. It is expected that two addit-
ional members of the Steering Committee will be selected by the Council of
Urban Coalitions. As local coalitions are formed they will be invited to
designate two representatives to serve on the Council and through this
Council provide the National Steering Committee with advice and guidance on
matters of national concern. The Gatioral Steering Committee has established
seven Task Forces and it is expected that local coalitions will develop
counterpart units. These are identified and discussed in the attached
guidelines. Under consideration for future development is the establishment
of a Council of Urban Economic Advisors to se sieu the Coalition in analyzing
the impact of Federal auonomié, fiscal, tax, and budgetary policies of cities.
A second Council of University Urban Studies Centers is being contemplated as
a means of channeling the best research ideas concerning urban development
into the discussions and plans of both the National Steering Committee and
Page Four
and local coalitions. Further additions and modifications in the organization
and structure of The Urban Coalition may be expected as experience is gained.
ATLANTA URBAN COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 29, 1967
During the last two decades accelerated migration from the farms, vastly
increased living standards, the automobile, and other social and economic
factors have changed our nation from rural to urban. Three-fourths of
America's 200 million citizens now live in cities.
This rapid urbanization is unparrelled in any nation in world history.
And the problems forced upon communities unprepared for this dramatic
change is likewise unmatched in the development of national populations,
For ten years or more economists, sociologists, political scientists,
and others have urged action by local, state and federal governments to
plan and implement programs to meet this changing environment.
In urban areas local governments possessed neither the fiscal nor human
resources in sufficient quanity and quality to do more than brace the dike
against the on-rushing tide.
State government turned a deaf ear.
The federal government expressed concern, established some promising
programs and formed a new Department of Housing and Urban Development
to deal with city problems. But the Congress in too many instances failed
to register the sense of urgency the urban crises demand, with an apparent
unawareness of the critical dimensions of the problem, the nation's
resources have been allocated to the race for space, agricultural supports
and defense - but little to the needs of the cities.
The result is now a tragic chapter in American history. Riots, racial
disturbances, civil disobedience in city after city throughout all parts of
the country have cast a lasting imprint of inaction and indifference,
And in each troubled area the story is the same: Poor people. Lack of job
skills. Unemployment. Unsound housing. Inadequate parks, schools.
Absense of realistic municipal services, Lack of motivation. Loss of
faith and of hope.
What can be done?
Nothing short of a total commitment of all community resources and a
reassessment of priorities by our national government can produce results
Page Two
on a scale large enough to sufficiently change the direction of our
cities.
It isn't enough that we have a city government of concern and compassion
for the problems of the poor and disadvantaged. This same concern and
compassion must be felt by business and by labor, by education and by
our religious institutions and our civil rights leadership.
The necessity for cooperation and coordination of resources has been
recognized by leaders of these sectors of our environment at the national
level. As a result an Urban Coalition has been formed to seek ways to
mobilize the unused resources throughout the urban areas of the nation
and to do battle with urban blight.
The Steering Committee of the national Urban Coalition has called upon
our businessmen, our churchmen, our educators and our labor unions
to join with our mayors and public officials to develop and implement
programs which will provide jobs, decent housing, education and a better
life for those trapped in the current of the urban crises.
The Coalition met in an emergency convocation and adopted a statement
of principles of great promise, It called upon local government, business,
labor, religion and civil rights groups to create counterpart local
coalitions to support and supplement this declaration of principles.
We believe the very essence of success of the national Urban Coalition
lies in the development of strong local coalitions,
Past and present efforts in Atlanta to build a great city and to meet the
needs of urban growth have resulted directly from an unstructured
coalition of leadership in all areas of community life.
We believe our chances for continued and expanded successes can be
made possible only through mobilization and full utilization of all resources
available to us.
We, therefore, pledge ourselves to work together in an Atlanta Urban
Coalition for the betterment of our community, and urge all groups and
organizations to join us in our efforts.
Page Three
We further endorse the declaration of principles of the national
Coalition and pledge to lend our talents and our labors to their
fulfillment.
Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor of Atlanta
Al Bows, Vice President
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Robert J. Butler, President
Atlanta Labor Council
Dr. John W. Letson
Superintendent
Atlanta Public Schools
Dr. Harmon Moore, Executive Director
Christian Council of Metropolitan
Atlanta, Inc.
Erwin Stevens, President
Citizens Central Advisory Council
Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.
Reverend Samuel Williams
Co-Chairman
Summit Leadership Conference
CHRISTIAN COUNCIL, “lh |ROPOUITAN ATLANTA
oe tall /’ /
Ne Se ee
53 SIXTH STREETS N"E., ATLANTAs"GEORGIA 39308, PHONE 872-5678
ae
—_
November 8, 1967
The Honorable Ivan Allen, Mayor
City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mayor Allen:
In request to your letter of October 26, 1967 | am happy to report that the Executive Board
of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta is pleased with the draft prepared by Mr. Dan
Sweat and has no suggested changes.
Please feel free to call upon us if there is any way we might support more fully this outstanding
piece of pioneer service to our community.
Sincerely yours,
Sis drmon eee Ve a
ns Director
HDM:msb
Offering the 31d Dimension to 5 Growing Counties
DR. L. BEVEL JONES WELFARE & SOCIAL SERVICES GA. ASSOC. FOR PASTORAL CARE DR. HARMON D. MOORE
PRESIDENT 873-2108 523-4711 - EXT. 207 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
872-5678 872-5678
RADIO AND TV
872-5678
DRAFT
STATEMENT OF ATLANTA URBAN COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE
DURING THE LAST TWO DECADES ACCELERATED MIGRATION
FROM THE FARMS, VASTLY INCREASED LIVING STANDARDS, THE
AUTOMOBILE, AND OTHER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS HAVE
CHANGED OUR NATION FROM RURAL TO URBAN,
THREE-FOURTHSOF AMERICA'S 190 MILLION CITIZENS NOW LIVE
IN CITIES,
THIS RAPID URBANIZATION IS UNPARRELLED IN ANY NATION IN
WORLD HISTORY. AND THE PROBLEMS FORCED UPON COMMUNITIES
UNPREPARED FOR THIS DRAMATIC CHANGE IS LIKEWISE UNMATCHED
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL POPULATIONS,
FOR TEN YEARS OR MORE ECONOMISTS, SOCIOLOGISTS, POLITICAL
SCIENTISTS, AND OTHERS HAVE URGED ACTION BY LOCAL, STATE AND
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO
MEET THIS CHANGING ENVIRONMENT,
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - URBAN CITIES - POSSESSED NEITHER
THE FISCAL NOR HUMAN RESOURGES IN SUFFICIENT QUANITY AND
QUALITY TO DO MORE THAN BRACE THE DIKE AGAINST THE ON-RUSHING.
TIDE,
PAGE TWO ®
STATE GOVERNMENT TURNED A DEAF EAR,
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED CONCERN, ESTABLISHED
SOME PROMISING PROGRAMS AND FORMED A NEW DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO DEAL WITH CITY PROBLEMS,
BUT THE CONGRESS FAILED TO REGISTER THE SENSE OF URGENCY OF
THE URBAN CRISES, AND OBLIVIOUS TO THE IMPENDING DOOM ALLOCATED
THE NATIONAL DOLLAR TO THE RACE FOR SPACE, AGRICULTURAL
SUPPORTS AND DEFENSE,
THE RESULT IS NOW A TRAGIC CHAPTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY,
RIOTS, RACIAL DISTURBANCES, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN CITY AFTER
CITY THROUGHOUT ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE CAST A LASTING
IMPRINT OF INACTION AND INDIFFERENCE,
AND IN EACH TROUBLED AREA THE STORY IS THE SAME: POOR
PEOPLE, LACK OF JOB SKILLS, UNEMPLOYMENT, UNSOUND HOUSING,
INADEQUATE PARKS, SCHOOLS, ABSENCE OF REALISTIC MUNICIPAL
SERVICES, LACK OF MOTIVATION, LOSS OF FAITH AND OF HOPE,
‘
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
NOTHING SHORT OF A TOTAL COMMITMENT OF ALL COMMUNITY
RESOURCES AND A REASSESSMENT OF PRIORITIES BY OUR NATIONAL
PAGE THREE
GOVERNMENT CAN PRODUCE RESULTS ON A SCALE LARGE ENOUGH TO
SUFFICIENTLY CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF OUR CITIES,
IT ISN'T ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE A CITY GOVERNMENT OF
CONCERN AND COMPASSION FOR THE PROBLEMS OF THE POOR AND
“DISADVANTAGED, THIS SAME CONCERN AND COMPASSION MUST BE FELT
BY BUSINESS AND BY LABOR, BY EDUCATION AND BY OUR RELIGIOUS
INSTITUTIONS AND OUR CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERSHIP,
.THE NECESSITY FOR COOPERATION AND COORDINATION OF
RESOURCES HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY LEADERS OF THESE SECTORS OF
OUR ENVIRONMENT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, AS A RESULT AN
URBAN COALITION HAS BEEN FORMED TO SEEK WAYS TO MOBILIZE
THE UNUSED RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE URBAN CITIES AND TO DO
BATTLE WITH URBAN BLIGHT.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL URBAN COALITION
HAS CALLED UPON OUR BUSINESSMEN, OUR CHURCHMEN, OUR EDUCATORS
AND OUR LABOR UNIONS TO JOIN WITH OUR MAYORS AND PUBLIC
OFFICIALS TO: DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS WHICH WILL PROVIDE
JOBS, DECENT HOUSING, EDUCATION AND A BETTER LIFE FOR THOSE
TRAPPED IN THE CURRENT OF THE URBAN CRISES,
PAGE FOUR
THE COALITION MET IN AN EMERGENCY CONVOCATION AND
ADOPTED A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES OF GREAT PROMISE, IT
CALLED UPON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, LABOR, RELIGION
AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS TO CREATE COUNTERPART LOCAL COALITIONS
TOSUPPORT AND SUPPLEMENT THIS DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES,
WE BELIEVE THE VERY ESSENCE OF SUCCESS OF THE NATIONAL
URBAN COALITION LIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG LOCAL
COALITIONS,
PAST AND PRESENT EFFORTS IN ATLANTA TO BUILD A GREAT
CITY AND TO MEET THE NEEDS OF URBAN GROWTH HAVE RESULTED
DIRECTLY FROM AN UNSTRUCTURED COALITION OF LEADERSHIP IN
ALL AREAS OF COMMUNITY LIFE,
WE BELIEVE OUR CHANCES FOR CONTINUED AND EXPANDED
SUCCESSES CAN BE MADE POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH MOBILIZATION
AND FULL UTILIZATION OF ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US,
WE, THEREFORE, PLEDGE OURSELVES TO WORK TOGETHER
‘
IN AN ATLANTA URBAN COALITION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF GIR
COMMUNITY, AND URGE ALL GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN
US IN OUR EFFORTS,
PAGE FIVE .
WE FURTHER ENDORSE THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
OF THE NATIONAL COALITION AND PLEDGE TO LEND OUR TALENTS
AND OUR LABORS TO THEIR FULFILLMENT,
IVAN ALLEN, JR.
MAYOR OF ATLANTA
AUGUSTUS H, STERNE, PRESIDENT
ATLANTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SAMUEL WILLIAMS
CO-CHAIRMAN
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
ROBERT J. BUTLER
PRESIDENT
ATLANTA LABOR COUNCIL
REV. BEVEL JONES, PRESIDENT
CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF METROPOLITAN ATLANTA, INC,
DR, JOHN W, LETSON
SUPERINTENDENT
ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ERWIN STEVENS, PRESIDENT
CITIZENS CENTRAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ATLANTA, INC,
‘
r
DISCUSSION PAPER
Chicago Conference
Mobilizing Urban Coalitions
Chicago Circle Center, University of Illinois October 17th, 1967
Introduction
With any new national effort such as that being undertaken by The Urban
Coalition, it may be expected that organizational structure methods will
continue to undergo change. For this reason The Urban Coalition is under-
standably following a flexible course of action. The ideas set forth in
this Metaiées paper may be expected to undergo further change as they are
subject to continuing review by both national and local leadership. The
views of those interested in The Urban Coalition are invited and welcome.
Goals
Based upon the Statement of Principles, Goals and Commitments adopted at the
August Emergency Convocation, The Urban Coalition's program may be restated
as follows:
1. To encourage the Congress to respond affirmatively to the needs
of the cities.
2. To encourage public concern with the needs of the cities,
3. To stimulate greater private initiative and effort in dealing with
the problems of the cities, including both investment and technical
assistance,
‘ ‘
4. To stimulate greater support for and interest in ongcing efforts to
meet such needs as:
--job development and manpower training programs
--open housing efforts
--urban renewal and reconstruction
\
Page :-Two
--anti-poverty programs
--programs to overcome educational disparities.
Methods
Among the methods that may be followed by The Urban Coalition are the
following:
1. Be supportive, not operational. It is expected that The Urban
Coalition will support ongoing efforts at both the local and national levels.
It may stimulate new undertakings. It will cooperate with such major new .
efforts as the $1 billion investment allocation of the insurance industry
for center city development. It will give support to local urban coalitions.
2a Stimulate interest in successful examples of action. Through its
Task Forces The Urban Coalition will identify, work with, and publicize
successful efforts to expand employment, extend lower income housing and
equal housing opportunities, new educational programs and the like. The
Task Forces hope to serve as catalysts and convenors. They will serve as
clearinghouses of local action.
BY Work with the mass media. Through its Task Force on Communications
and Public Support and through counterpart committees at the local level,
it is hoped that the mass media can be encouraged to focus greater attention
on the needs of cities. Broad public understanding of the need for greater
resources, of the complexities of the problems involved and the need for
urgent action are essential if the goals of The Urban Coalition are to be
achieved.
Page: Three p
4, To coordinate a national legislative campaign. The Urban Coalition
has called upon Congress for action across a broad front to meet the urban
crisis. Interpreting and emphasizing the need for national action is as
much a local obligation as it is a commitment of the National Steering
Committee. Discussions with members of Congress is as much a hometown
affair as are appearances before Congressional committees.
Structures
The National Steering Committee at the present time consists of thirty-six
members. They are broadly representative of business, labor, local govern-
ment, religion, civil rights and education. It is expected that two addit-
ional members of the Steering Committee will be selected by the Council of
Urban Coalitions. As local coalitions are formed they will be invited to
designate two representatives to serve on the Council and through this
Council provide the National Steering Committee with advice and guidance on
matters of national concern. The Gatioral Steering Committee has established
seven Task Forces and it is expected that local coalitions will develop
counterpart units. These are identified and discussed in the attached
guidelines. Under consideration for future development is the establishment
of a Council of Urban Economic Advisors to se sieu the Coalition in analyzing
the impact of Federal auonomié, fiscal, tax, and budgetary policies of cities.
A second Council of University Urban Studies Centers is being contemplated as
a means of channeling the best research ideas concerning urban development
into the discussions and plans of both the National Steering Committee and
Page Four
and local coalitions. Further additions and modifications in the organization
and structure of The Urban Coalition may be expected as experience is gained.
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