Hoyer Hosts Briefing on White House "Fair Chance Business Pledge" Initiative

BOWIE, MD– Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) hosted a briefing today with Fifth District Chambers of Commerce on the Obama Administration's recently launched "Fair Chance Business Pledge." The pledge is a call-to-action for all members of the private sector to improve their communities by eliminating barriers for those with a criminal record and creating a pathway for a second chance.

"I was pleased to host this briefing in the Fifth District today and speak with local businesses about the Obama Administration's new ‘Fair Chance Business Pledge,'" said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "There are 2.2 million Americans currently behind bars and 70 million Americans who have a criminal record of some kind. For those Americans, even the smallest crime can inadvertently bring a life sentence – a life of poverty and exclusion – because many businesses won't hire people with a criminal past, even after their debt to society has been paid in full."

"This pledge asks businesses across the country to demonstrate a real willingness to hire qualified candidates who have been fully rehabilitated and end practices that raise barriers to their chances at employment," continued Congressman Hoyer. "This includes ‘banning the box' and training human resources staff on how to make fair decisions regarding applicants with past convictions. It also includes using the most reliable background check providers to ensure that checks are accurate and complete. A number of national corporations have already taken the ‘Fair Chance Business Pledge,' including companies in Maryland, such as Under Armour and Johns Hopkins. I'm hoping that we'll see local businesses in the Fifth District take the pledge, as well. The ‘Fair Business Chance Pledge' is all about making a difference that brings opportunity to those who have proven themselves ready for a second chance and are shown to be among the most productive and committed workers."

Attendees at the briefing included Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson, Assistant Director of the White House Business Council Zaid Hassan, and Johns Hopkins Health System Director of Strategic Workforce Planning and Development Yariela Kerr-Donovan.