Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Diversity Equity Inclusion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears joint resolution reaffirming support for diversity, equity and inclusion
Summary
Sen. Joanne C. Benson introduced a joint resolution affirming DEI principles; one in‑room witness and community representatives testified about DEI's economic and social benefits.
Senator Joanne C. Benson introduced Joint Resolution 3, a measure affirming Maryland's support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles. Benson framed DEI as foundational to equal opportunity and civic engagement and asked the committee for a favorable vote.
"These principles embody the ideals of fairness, opportunity and respect for all individuals regardless of their background," Benson said in opening remarks, urging the committee to "vote favorably on this most important bill."
A signed witness, Hussein Wahid, spoke in support and connected DEI to technology and economic development. Wahid said that inclusive processes in advanced technology programs yielded measurable efficiency gains and standards that became nationally recognized; he described outcomes including a claimed "$70,000,000 economic efficiency every year up to 2030" attributable to inclusive advanced‑technology efforts. Wahid also noted that excluding segments of society reduces model performance and integration of viewpoints.
Committee questions were brief and focused on witness identification and Bipartisan backgrounds among sponsors; the committee took no vote.
