CHAPTER 700
STATE OF DELAWARE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
DOVER
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER SIXTY-FIVE
TO: Heads of All State Departments and Agencies
RE: Establishment of Office of Minority Business Enterprise in the Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development
WHEREAS, according to 29 Delaware Code § 8603 (4), the Governor, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Community Affairs and Economic Development, has the authority to "establish, consolidate, abolish, transfer or combine the powers, duties and functions of the divisions, subdivisions and offices within the Department as the Secretary, with the written approval of the Governor, may deem necessary, providing that all powers, duties and functions required by law shall be provided for and main ta in ed" ; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that opportunity be provided for full participation in our free enterprise system by socially and economically disadvantaged persons if we are to obtain social and economic justice for everyone, improve the functioning of our economy, and realize the great potential possessed by all the people of the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of an office within the Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development devoted to the furtherance of minority business enterprise is an appropriate means of furthering this goal;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUSSELL W. PETERSON, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, and with the concurrence of the Secretary of Community Affairs and Economic Development, do hereby declare and order as follows:
1. The Office of Minority Business Enterprise (hereinafter referred to as "the office") is established within the Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development, and shall be headed by a Director.
2. The Secretary • of Community Affairs and Economic Development, subject to applicable federal laws and regulations, shall appoint, remove, and fix the salary of the Director of the Office of Minority Business Enterprise, with the approval of the Governor. The Director shall have such powers, duties, and functions as may be assigned by the Secretary of Community Affairs and Economic Development and such other responsibilities as may be provided by federal or state laws and regulations.
3. The Office shall have the following functions:
(a) Establish and implement state policy in support of minority business enterprise programs. For purposes of this executive order, "Minority Business" means a business owned or controlled by members of socially or economically disadvantaged minority groups. Such disadvantage may arise from cultural, racial, or economic circumstances.
(b) Coordinate the plans, programs and operations of State government which affect or may contribute to the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of minority businesses.
(c) Promote the mobilization of activities and resources of State and local governments, businesses and trade associations, universities, foundations, professional organizations, and volunteer and other groups to support the growth of minority business in the State.
(d) Establish a center for the development, collection, and dissemination of information that will be helpful to persons and organizations throughout the State in undertaking or promoting the establishment and successful operation of minority businesses.
all or part of the costs of pilot or demonstration projects which are designed to overcome the special problems of minority businesses or otherwise to further the purposes of this executive order.
(f) Recommend appropriate legislative and executive
action to promote minority business enterprise.
4. An Interdepartmental Committee on Minority Business Enterprise (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee") is established as follows:
(a) The Committee shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be composed of those State officials whose fields of competence include the Committee's area of concern. The Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development shall be chairman of the Committee.
(b) The Committee shall provide the Office of Minority Business Enterprise with such information as may be useful in promoting minority businesses and shall assist the Office in implementing State policy in support of minority business programs.
(c) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary.
5. All other State departments and agencies shall furnish such information and assistance as the Office may request. Each state department or agency shall, insofar as possible, foster and promote minority businesses.
APPROVED This 25th day of October, 1972
RUSSELL W. PETERSON, Governor
ATTEST: WALTON H. SIMPSON, Secretary of State
Secretary, Community Affairs and Economic Development