HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     4133

WHEREAS, The overall age adjusted mortality rate for minority
citizens is 40 percent higher than the rate of white
citizens;

WHEREAS, Homicide and accidents are the leading causes of death
for young black males between the ages of 15-34;

WHEREAS, While the cancer death rate for nonwhite males has been
declining, there has been a significant overall increase in
the cancer death rate for minority citizens;

WHEREAS, Minority citizens are twice as likely to be uninsured,
four times as likely to be poor and twice as likely to be
unemployed as white citizens;

WHEREAS, Minorities, particularly poor minority citizens, are
less likely to have access to health care resources; and

WHEREAS, There are remaining disparities by race in a number of
other key health indicators;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY HUGHES, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF MARYLAND, HEREBY PROCLAIM THE
FOLLOWING ORDER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

1.  The Commission

There is a Governor's Commission on Black and
Minority Health.

2.  Membership and Procedures

A.  The Commission shall consist of up to 30
members appointed by the Governor who are
representatives of health providers, human
resource, education and legal agencies or
organizations as well as representatives of
local communities and civic groups. Of the
members appointed, the Commission shall
include:

(1) One member of the House of Delegates
nominated by the Speaker of the House;

(2) One member of the Senate nominated by
the President of the Senate; and

(3) A representative of the Governor's
Office.

B.  The Governor shall select the Chairperson of
the Council from among the members appointed
to the Council.