Hi all,

Our esteemed faculty member Jim Allen (The Ethnic Quilt, 1997) forwarded this to me yesterday regarding the restrictions on geospatial and racial disparities data.

Below…

Best,

Chris Salvano

Map Library

Geography Department

California State University, Northridge

From: "American Association of Geographers" <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: NAACP Endorses AAG Letter Opposing Restrictions on Geospatial and Racial Disparities Data

Date: February 22, 2017 1:30:08 PM PST

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	NAACP Endorses AAG Letter Opposing Restrictions on Geospatial and Racial Disparities Data NAACP and 26 other prominent national organizations signed on to a letter written by the AAG expressing concerns about proposed bills (Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 482) that could impose restrictions on the use of and access to geospatial data related to racial disparities. The AAG continues to monitor, intervene, and update members on key issues that have a clear impact on geography or in which our discipline can serve as a valued stakeholder in shaping viewpoints and policy outcomes. February 21, 2017 The Honorable Mike Lee U.S. Senate 361A Russell SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Paul Gosar U.S. House of Representatives 504 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Senator Lee and Congressman Gosar, The undersigned organizations are writing with regard to S. 103 and H.R. 482, legislation you recently introduced regarding Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations. As you know, this bill provides that “… no Federal funds may be used to design, build, maintain, utilize, or provide access to a Federal database of geospatial information on community racial disparities or disparities in access to affordable housing,” in addition to nullifying the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing regulation. It is our belief that this legislation could foster racial discrimination and have far-reaching consequences on federally-sponsored research on racial disparities, as well as on federal human health programs; census issues; education programs, including services for children; federal housing programs; Department of Justice programs; and other critical programs. Our association members often conduct research or provide services – some of which is federally funded – using geospatial information related to racial and other disparities, and we fear that the enactment of this legislation could have a damaging effect on a wide range of Americans and their communities. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact John Wertman at the American Association of Geographers at [log in to unmask] or (202) 234-1450 if you have any questions about this issue or would like to set up a meeting with representatives from our organizations to discuss the policy implications of these restrictions to the use of and access to geospatial data and racial disparities information.  Sincerely, American Association of Geographers American Anthropological Association American Educational Research Association American Geographical Society American Geosciences Institute American Psychological Association American Sociological Association Association of Research Libraries Cartography and Geographic Information Society Center for Global Policy Solutions ChangeLab Solutions Consortium of Social Science Associations Economic Policy Institute Policy Center Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice Institute for the Study of "Race" & Social Justice Midwest Political Science Association NAACP National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development National Collaborative for Health Equity National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association  National States Geographic Information Council North American Regional Science Council Poverty and Race Research Action Council Rural Sociological Society Society for Research in Child Development The City Project University Consortium for Geographic Information Science

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James P. Allen
Professor Emeritus of Geography
California State University, Northridge