AASHTO Committee on Civil Rights

Business Meeting Agenda Tuesday, March 23, 2021 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern

I. Welcome• Committee Chair, Greg Davis - Minority & Small Business Affairs Division

Director, South Carolina DOT

II. Remarks from Agency Administration Managing Committee Chair• Bill Panos - Director, North Dakota DOT

III. FHWA Update• Irene Rico, Associate Administrator, FHWA

IV. Update regarding Committee’s work to support AASHTO resolution and actions towards equity in transportation

• Committee Vice-Chair, Michael D. Bryant - Civil Rights Division Director, Texas DOT

• Committee Secretary, Tina Samartinean - Contract Compliance and Training Officer, Arizona DOT

V. Regional Breakout Sessions Clickable Map• Discuss current and future actions items from the AASHTO resolution• Brainstorm action items for the Committee to incorporate in next year’s Action

Plan

Region 1 – NASTO Regional RepresentativeDebra Goss - Manager of Contract Compliance, Connecticut DOT

Region 2 – SASHTO Regional RepresentativeSandra Norman - Civil Rights Division Administrator, Virginia DOT

Region 3 – MAASTO Regional RepresentativeKim Watson - Assistant Deputy Director, Division of Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion, Ohio DOT

Region 4 – WASHTO Regional RepresentativePatti Schwinden - Operations Chief, Montana DOT

VI. Regional Breakout Session Recaps

VII. Closing Remarks• Committee Chair, Greg Davis - Minority & Small Business Affairs Division

Director, South Carolina DOT

Appendix

Links are embedded in all items listed below, and are also bookmarked within the PDF.

1. AASHTO Resolution Addressing Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

- Other Regional Resolutions:

a. NASTOb. SASHTOc. WASHTO

2. AASHTO’s Efforts and Considerations to Advance Issues on Race, Equity, and Diversityand Inclusion (proposed to AASHTO Board of Directors, list is intended as a startingpoint, and is not exhaustive).

3. Committee on Civil Rights letter to Dr. Shawn Wilson, Chair of the Agency AdministrationManaging Committee.

4. Response from Dr. Shawn Wilson to the Committee on Civil Rights.

Approved by the AASHTO Board of Directors November 13, 2020

Policy Resolution PR-2-20 Title: AASHTO Resolution Addressing Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Whereas, At the core of the American dream is the promise of freedom, equality, and opportunity for prosperity for all people;

Whereas, As the leaders of state departments of transportation that comprise the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), we are responsible for ensuring compliance with the law and advancing equal opportunity, racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for individuals within our respective departments and to the public regardless of their membership in any protected class;

Whereas, We acknowledge the actions of the past, in programming, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of state transportation systems, which often disproportionally negatively affected low income communities, minority neighborhoods, and people of color, and the legacy of those actions persist in disparities today;

Whereas, It is our role as transportation leaders to serve as stewards of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that achieves economic, environmental, and social goals set by the representatives of the people we serve;

Whereas, In our role as policy makers, we are compelled to listen, learn, and take action to dismantle racism that may be present within ourselves, our transportation agencies, and our broader community; and

Whereas, In our role as employers and leaders of state departments of transportation, we are committed to advance equity, diversity and inclusion within our agencies such that our respective workforce is representative of the communities we serve; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That we, the Board of Directors of AASHTO, hold ourselves accountable for engaging in the vital work of advancing racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as individuals and as an institution;

Resolved, That we pledge to approach these efforts with humility, introspection, and respect, being mindful of the importance of listening to and learning from those most adversely affected by past decisions. We understand that these measures depend on collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including government, transportation partners, and the communities we serve. We pledge to continue to collaborate closely with national, state, and regional organizations focused on these issues;

Resolved, That our efforts to address racial injustice will include, but are not limited to:

1) Strengthening our commitment to the values acclaimed in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 andassociated statutes, seeking to protect all people from discrimination based on race, color,religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age, and seeking to advance those goals in the deliveryof our programs and services, working with our business partners and community and faith basedorganizations.

2) Enhancing decision-making processes focused on advancing racial justice and incorporatingequity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of transportation, including, but not limited toinvestment priorities, policy development, project and program delivery, environmental justice, orin other areas, through more effective public engagement processes, especially in historicallyunderserved communities.

Approved by the AASHTO Board of Directors November 13, 2020

3) Improving contracting and procurement practices to remove barriers and create opportunities forDisadvantaged Business Enterprises and people of color so that they may participate in theeconomic benefits derived from transportation investments.

4) Creating additional strategies to improve recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, leadershipdevelopment, and retention of and support for a workforce at all levels that reflects thecommunities we serve, through efforts including more robust outreach to educational institutionsand community and faith based organizations traditionally serving people of color.

5) Ensuring staff are provided workforce development and other training opportunities to developcompetencies and create accountability for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion to addressracism and inequality.

6) Fostering inclusive workplaces where discrimination and bias are not tolerated, where staff haveredress for bias-related harms they experience or witness, and where staff at all levels areempowered to speak up against discrimination on behalf of themselves, their colleagues, and thecommunities we serve; and

Resolved, That this resolution be preserved in the records and minutes of AASHTO and prominently displayed on the AASHTO website.

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Resolution of the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Addressing Diversity Equity and Inclusion

WHEREAS, at the core of the American dream is the promise of freedom, equality, and opportunity for prosperity for all people regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or age; and

WHEREAS, as leaders of state departments of transportation that comprise the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO), we have responsibility to ensure equal opportunity, fairness, equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion for all without regard to their membership in any protected class within our respective departments and to the public; and

WHEREAS, the south is recognized as the birthplace of the civil rights movement; the transportation industry continues to build upon and learn from the past, ensuring full access and opportunities for all and we commemorate those who led the way and continue to lead the way for advancing transportation equity across this great nation; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the actions of the past in design and construction projects which often disproportionally affected minorities and low-income communities negatively, and the legacy of those decisions persist in disparities today; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge that racism and inequality still exist in the nation; and

WHEREAS, as policy makers and leaders, we are compelled to listen, learn, and take action to dismantle any and all racism within ourselves, our transportation agencies, and our broader community; and

WHEREAS, our responsibility includes not only continuous enhancement and courageous conversations by building accountability and seeking opportunities to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within our agencies such that our respective workforces are representative of the communities we serve; and

WHEREAS, it is our role as transportation leaders to serve as stewards of a multimodal transportation system that achieves economic, environmental, and social goals set by the people we serve; and

WHEREAS, SASHTO acknowledges and affirms AASHTO’s Committee on Civil Rights letter of July 21, 2020 to the AASHTO Agency Administration Managing Committee.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Board of Directors of SASHTO, hold ourselves accountable for engaging in the vital work of ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion to all individuals and as an institution.

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we pledge to approach these efforts with humility, introspection and respect, being mindful of the importance of listening to and learning from those most adversely affected by past decisions. We understand that these measures depend on collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders, including government, transportation partners, and the communities we serve. We pledge to continue to collaborate closely with national, state, and regional organizations focused on these issues.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our efforts to address racism and injustice will include, but are not limited to:

1. Continuing commitment to the values acclaimed in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and associatedstatutes, seeking to protect all people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex,national origin, disability, or age, and seeking to advance those goals in the delivery of ourprograms and services, working with our business partners.

2. Providing diversity, equity and inclusion programming at SASHTO annual meetings for continuedemphasis, education and sharing of best practices.

3. Making ourselves available to engage with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)community such that a culture of belonging and inclusiveness exists for all.

4. Improving and incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of transportation,including but not limited to, employment, project and program delivery, DBE, environmentaljustice, or in other areas, and by increasing efforts to advance social equity in our agencies’policies and programs, and through more effective public engagement processes, especially inhistorically underserved communities.

5. Ensuring staff are provided education, resources, programs, and opportunities which promotediversity, equity and inclusion designed to address racism and equal opportunity.

6. Creating additional strategies to improve recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention of, andsupport for, a workforce at all levels that reflects the communities we serve, through effortsincluding more robust outreach to educational institutions serving minority and low-incomecommunities.

7. Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion competency development in order to ensure accessand create equivalent outcomes for all.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) with the hope that the AASHTO Board of Directors will adopt a similar resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be preserved in the records and minutes of SASHTO and prominently displayed on the SASHTO website.

Adopted this 30th day of October 2020.

Resolution of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) 

01‐20 Addressing Systemic Racism

WHEREAS, at the core of the American Dream is the promise of freedom, equality, and 

opportunity for prosperity for all people; and 

WHEREAS, as the leaders of state departments of transportation that comprise the Western 

Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO), we believe in and are 

responsible for undertaking our responsibilities in ways that comply with law and advance 

equal opportunity, justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion for individuals of every 

race, background, religion, gender, physical ability, and creed; and 

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the actions of the past in designs, decisions, and construction 

projects which often disproportionally affected neighborhoods and communities of color 

negatively, and the legacy of those decisions persist in disparities today; and 

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the symbolism of protests against systemic racism that occur 

throughout the West on our state roads, bridges, and highways; and 

WHEREAS, as employers and leaders, we acknowledge that efforts to combat racism must 

continue and be strengthened until they succeed, including efforts in state departments of 

transportation to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, including that our workforces reflect 

the communities we serve; and 

WHEREAS, it is our role as leaders in transportation to serve as stewards of a multimodal 

transportation system that achieves economic, environmental, and social goals set by the 

representatives of the people we serve, including under‐served populations; and 

WHEREAS, members of our workforce, the communities we serve, and society are hurting, and 

as policy makers and leaders, we are committed to listen, learn, and take action to combat 

institutional and systemic racism and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforces, 

planning processes, community engagement, transportation agencies, and our broader 

community. 

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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Directors of the Western Association 

of State Highway Transportation Officials, hold ourselves accountable for engaging in the daily 

work of combatting systemic racism as individuals and as an institution.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we pledge to approach these efforts with humility and respect, 

mindful of the importance of listening to and learning from those of us most affected by 

systemic racism. We understand that these measures depend on collaboration with all the 

relevant stakeholders, including government, transportation partners, and the communities we 

serve. We pledge to continue to collaborate closely with national, state, and regional 

organizations focused on these issues.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our efforts to address racial inequity will include, but are not 

limited to: 

(1) Renewing our commitment to the values acclaimed in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and

associated statutes, seeking to protect all people from discrimination based on race,

color, and national origin, disability, age and sex, and seeking to advance those goals in

the delivery of our services or benefits, working with our business partners.

(2) Enhancing decision‐making processes focused on broadening inclusion, better

advancing compliance with relevant requirements, whether concerning employment,

such as DBE, environmental justice, or in other areas, and by increasing efforts to

advance social equity in all of our agencies’ policies and programs, and through more

effective public engagement processes, especially in historically underserved

communities.

(3) Educating staff and creating accountability within our organizations to take action to

end systemic racism and inequality.

(4) Creating additional strategies to improve recruitment, hiring, promotion, and

retention of and support for a workforce at all levels of management that reflects the

communities we serve, through efforts including more robust outreach to education

systems attended by traditionally underserved communities.

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the American Association of 

State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) with the hope that the AASHTO Board of 

Directors will adopt a similar resolution. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be preserved in the records and minutes of the 

WASHTO and prominently displayed on the WASHTO website. 

Adopted by the WASHTO Board of Directors on September 8, 2020. 

James M. Bass  Date: September 8, 2020 

WASHTO President 

Board Discussion Regarding AASHTO’s Efforts and Considerations to Advance Issues on Race, Equity, and Diversity and Inclusion

Draft Association Resolution Addressing Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Convene Regional Dialogues with AASHTO Leadership and CEOs to Discuss Regional Priorities SASHTO—August 25, 2020 NASTO—August 31, 2020

WASHTO—September 30, 2020 MAASTO—October 28, 2020

Prioritize in AASHTO’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan

Incorporate Programming into AASHTO Meetings 2020 Joint Policy Meeting 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting

Future AASHTO Meetings—Planning now

Creation of an AASHTO Staff Forum to Advise and Enhance Workplace

Ongoing and For Consideration

Integrate into Committee and Council Action Plans

Develop Annual Report on State DOT Workforce Data to Identify Recruitment and Hiring Weaknesses

Increase Diversity in Leadership • Identify best practices for establishing upward mobility programs and setting aspirational goals for agency diversity• AASHTO’s Committees and Councils• NCHRP Research Panels

Utilize NCHRP to Provide Opportunities for Engagement to Share Best Practices and Advance Research Priorities • CEO Peer Exchanges• Minority Leadership Peer Exchange• Cross Committee Information Sharing• Webinar Series• Best Practices for DBE Participation in Emergency Operations

Training and Development Opportunities for Members • TC3• AASHTO’s Leadership Development Series• Pursue Opportunities to Incentivize State Participation in TRB Minority Fellows Program• Broaden and Promote Participation in TRAC and RIDES Program

Consider Opportunities to Bring Together DBE Contractors and Members • Provide Discount Rate to Attend AASHTO Meetings• Get Engaged with Minority and DBE Subcommittees Within Partner Organizations

AASHTO Committee on Civil Rights

July 21, 2020

Dr. Shawn Wilson Chair, AASHTO Agency Administration Managing Committee Louisiana Department of Transportation 1201 Capital Access Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Dear Dr. Wilson,

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Civil Rights (the Committee) takes pride in the responsibilities set forth in its charter. One primary responsibility is to work cooperatively with the Association’s Member Departments to provide equal access and ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities.

During our annual business meeting in June, the Committee collectively acknowledged that systemic inequalities exist within state departments of transportation (DOTs) across the country. This must change. Furthermore, it is the Committee’s duty to not only acknowledge this reality but also appeal to the Association to affirm its commitment to addressing inequalities and systemic discrimination by promoting programs, policies and initiatives that lead to substantive and lasting changes.

As Civil Rights professionals, we are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. The Committee calls upon the Association and all DOT leaders to make a genuine difference by intentionally and unequivocally integrating civil rights principles throughout all areas of State DOTs.

The Committee is charged with making recommendations and rendering advice to the President and staff of the Association. We recommend the following courses of action: 1) A commitment by the Association to diversifying leadership roles through an emphasis

being placed on establishing a more diverse senior leadership and management withinDOTs through the development of an upward mobility program and the establishment of anaspirational goal for agency diversity.

2) Annual job data which outlines EEO job classification codes versus demographics to bereported to the AASHTO Human Resources and Executive Committee, in order to identifysystemic underutilization gaps and spotlight potential recruitment and hiring weaknesses.

3) Enhancements in cross-disciplinary education and training of Civil Rights aspects occur atregional and local levels.

4) Civil Rights programming occur at all major annual AASHTO national and regional meetings.

5) Provide opportunities for DBE contractors to engage DOT leadership in a manner consistentwith the opportunities afforded to organizations such as Associated General Contractors ofAmerica (AGC), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and other industrypartners.

6) Broaden advocacy efforts to include Civil Rights initiatives, such as legislatively mandatingthe tracking of DBE participation during emergency operations.

7) Research be devoted to a Civil Rights related problem statement such as, “utilize researchopportunities to provide recommended changes in procurement strategies, identifyingbarriers to entry for DBEs, policy changes or regulation changes to support increasedopportunities for DBEs.”

Embracing this agenda and instituting these and other similar measures will result in: • Developing a more diverse, well-rounded and sustainable workforce;• Establishing a larger, stronger and more engaged small business community willing to

help meet the needs of state DOTs and strengthen local economies;• Creating systems and promoting programs, policies and initiatives that lead to short-

term, long-term and recurring benefits to disenfranchised groups; and• Generating goodwill among those advocating for the growth of local small businesses

and the advancement of marginalized individuals.

The Committee understands that it will take courage to initiate some of these actions. However, we hope that the spirit of justice and equality will prevail and the Association will support our efforts to assert the importance of civil rights.

Sincerely,

Greg Q. Davis Chairman, AASHTO Committee on Civil Rights

Ec: Patrick McKenna, AASHTO President Jim Tymon, AASHTO Executive Director Clarisse Coble, AASHTO Liaison to the Committee on Civil Rights

AASHTO Agency AdministrationManaging Committee