A Commission on Human Relations is hereby established by the City of
Lockport in accordance with Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law, as
enacted by Chapter 376 of the Laws of 1963.
It shall be the duty of the Commission, as provided by Article 12-D
of the General Municipal Law, to:
A. Foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial,
religious and nationality groups in the community.
B. Make such studies in any field of human relationship
in the community as in its judgment will aid in effectuating its general purposes.
C. Inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among
or between various racial, religious and nationality groups, and take such
action as may be designed to alleviate such tension and conflict.
D. Conduct and recommend such educational programs as, in
its judgment, will increase goodwill among inhabitants of the community and
open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.
The Commission shall discharge the following obligations as provided
in Article 12-D of the General Municipal Law:
A. Receive complaints of alleged discrimination because
of race, creed, color or national origin, seek the active assistance of the
State Commission for Human Relations in the solution of complaints which fall
within the jurisdiction of the State Commission and prepare its own plans
in the case of other complaints with a view to reducing and eliminating such
alleged discrimination through the process of conference, conciliation and
persuasion.
B. Hold conferences and other public meetings in the interest
of and the constructive resolution of racial, religious and nationality group
tensions and the prejudice and discrimination occasioned thereby.
C. Issue such publications and reports of investigation
as, in its judgment, will tend to effectuate the purposes of Article 12-D
of the General Municipal Law.
D. Enlist the cooperation and participation of the various
racial, religious and nationality groups, community organizations, industrial
and labor organizations, media of mass communication, fraternal and benevolent
associations and other groups in an educational campaign devoted to fostering
among the diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equality.
E. Encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction
of the Council to take such action as will fulfill the purposes of such Article
12-D.
F. Submit an annual report to the governing board.
In the event the provisions of General Municipal Law, Article 12-D,
are amended, such amendments shall be effective with respect to the Commission
on Human Relations created hereby.