Adam's Mark Hotel
Colleagues:
16 April 2001
To: IEEE 802.1 and 802.3 members,
Recently, it has come to the attention of one of our members that the Adam’s
Mark Hotel and its parent company, the HBE Corp., has settled a racial class
action lawsuit (3/21/2000). A question was raised regarding the IEEE
position.
To quote from the IEEE code of ethics, the IEEE is committed "to treat
fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender,
disability, age, or national origin."
As best we can determine, this issue is history and we can all attend the
May interim meeting without concern. Even so, should any problem arise at
the meeting, please report it to the appropriate chair or vice chair in a
prompt manner.
Additional background
A review of publicly available information regarding the Adam’s Mark
indicates that:
1. The hotel is implementing sweeping changes in its policies toward
minorities. In the words of then Attorney General Janet Reno, "Adam's Mark
is the first hotel chain of its kind to take such comprehensive affirmative
steps to prevent discrimination in its hotels."
2. Adam’s Mark president, Fred Kummer, issued an apology and a pledge to
offer equal treatment to all its guests: "…we apologize for any actions that
may have made any of our guests feel uncomfortable or unwelcome."
Kweisi Mfume, President & CEO of the NAACP, in a press release said, “The
settlement is a signal that Adam’s Mark and its parent company, the HBE
Corp., have committed to make extensive changes to its operations to insure
[sic] that African American guests are treated fairly. With this agreement,
the call for economic sanctions against the hotel chain has been
suspended. ”
http://www.naacp.org/president/releases/adam.htm -- Press release dated
March 21, 2000 from the NAACP.
Regards,
Steven B. Carlson
President
Co-Chair, ESTA Control Protocols Working Group
Chair, ESTA ACN Task Group
http://www.esta.org
Chair, IEEE 802.3af DTE Power via MDI Task Force
http://www.ieee802.org/3/af/index.html
High Speed Design, Inc.
11929 NW Old Quarry Road
Portland, OR 97229
503.626.4206
FAX 503.626.4206
scarlson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx