 On August 6th this year, Columbia City Council took a very important step forward. A step towards equality and fairness, a step towards opportunity by passing unanimously our cities ban the box ordinance. This ordinance requires the City of Columbia to eliminate questions pertaining to a job applicants prior criminal record from the application and interview process. We know that a large number of formerly incarcerated individuals remain unemployed for years after release data shows us that very clearly, often times struggling to provide the most basic needs for themselves and for their families. The data is quite compelling showing that as you look across the country, that those who may have criminal records are equal in the number of those who actually have college degrees. So we're talking about a significant, powerful opportunity to dramatically change the trajectory of the American workforce and create opportunities for all of our citizens. This ordinance gives people a fair shot at being gainfully employed, getting their lives back on track and contributing to the whole of the community. Columbia is the first in the state to pass a ban the box ordinance and I'm encouraging other cities and municipalities and counties and businesses across this great state to pass similar ordinances. Our ordinance is also drafted to strongly encourage and in some cases compel those who do business with the city to also live within the values of the city by passing such a policy internally. Another vital piece of this ordinance is a prohibition on inquiries into an applicants wage history. We know that the wage gap is real particularly as it relates to female citizens all across this country. Women and women of color in particular are paid dramatically less during the same work that men do and finding a way to systemically eliminate that disparity is something that's very important for us and quite frankly we don't care what you earned on your last job. We know that what the jobs you're applying for, what it should pay and people ought to be paid accordingly regardless of gender. I really want to thank our city council for the leadership. We have as you may know every potential political position from across the spectrum for very progressive to very conservative represented on this council and oftentimes we find ways to have great spirited debates over issues of significant importance. So unanimous vote from this council I believe shows that Columbia is indeed a city of the New South, a city of the 21st century and I want to thank my colleagues and certainly want to thank all these incredible volunteers, these wonderful community activists who are doing things not just here locally in Columbia but also nationally in advancing the ball down field taking important steps for all of our citizens. I want to personally thank my friend Lester Young. He's a leader with Just Leadership USA who travels the country spreading the word on giving, on the importance of giving formerly incarcerated individuals a fair chance to earn a good life for themselves and their families right here and what we still believe to be the greatest democratic nation in the history of the world, United States of America. I would say this and I would just first and foremost give presents to Almighty God for blessing this moment, this opportunity and blessing and placing it in the hearts of everyone to see the need for this particular change. Also I'd like to thank you personally Mayor Benjamin for seeing the need for this and seeing that we need to bring about some real systemic change in our community when it comes down to criminal justice and removing the barriers that are in place for those who are returning from prison. I just wanted to say I cannot always, I can't say I can't, but I remember me sitting in prison for serving Mike in prison and I remember I would say God if you were ever releasing from this prison system that I promise and I will vow that I will return back into my community and use my leadership, use my skill sets to impact my community to the best of my ability and it's been now five years since I've been home and I've been diligently and consistently striving to make that difference and today is just one of those things that I'm really excited about and I'm standing behind, standing behind us as people that is going to really benefit from this opportunity and to let everyone know that this is something that we will continue to push forward to and I'm looking forward to moving to other counties, particularly Charleston, South Carolina, Charleston, North Charleston, Greenville, Orangeburg, other counties that is going to really hopefully we can set the temple from this art ordinance to move forward with these other counties and bring about real change. Again, thank you guys. Thanks everyone for giving us this opportunity and making it possible for formerly incarcerated people to have an opportunity for employment after incarceration. Thank you. I am a huge believer in the fact that just being frank, I serve a God of second chances. How could we not be a city of second chances? And we believe firmly that this just makes sense and addresses so many of our different needs as a community. That's what I've shared with our folks in Charleston and hope to continue to share with other policymakers, many of whom looked at Columbia to be a leader in some spaces. As you may know, we've stepped out in a number of thoughtful areas trying to show people that even people with diverse political backgrounds who look at the very same issue thoughtfully, methodically, using data, but you leave with your head and your heart, you can do the right thing. And this is the right thing and hopefully we will be a leader to other communities looking to make this step forward. Thanks again. And remember, we are Columbia.