In Bishop Smith’s 1968 Convention Address, he mentions the formation of a special committee to propose specific actions the diocese can take to confront the social ills of the day, including racism. This is the report and resolution from that committee, headed by the Rev. Robert E. Holzhammer from Trinity, Iowa City.

Excerpt:

“It has become evident as we have discussed the Iowa situation that each area of crisis in the state has its own individual problems and that each city is handling its problem in its own way. We are dealing with a racial crisis which is really a crisis of poverty of all ethnic groups. There are five basic areas of concern: Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Des Moines and Sioux City There are eleven other cities which are also working out their own problems where there is less of a crisis than there is in the other five. Our clergy in each area are working with the various communities and our laymen are involved and working also to help solve the local ills. There is, however, an overall responsibility for the whole diocese in these areas:

1. The area of awareness — that our people know of the crisis situation and know of the various governmental acts that are being done in the whole state. Certainly we should be concerned to read and discuss the commentaries of our newspapers, we should know what the President’s Commission on Civil Disorder has said.

2. That we as members of the Diocese relate more closely with the various groups in our own communities by the exchange of pulpits and visitations back and forth across the barriers that we have built.

3. That all parishes and missions should know and understand and be involved in the needs of the local community and to cooperate with civil as well as church agencies working for the relief of the poverty in their area. Under this comes the matter of fair housing.

4. That our parishes and missions make their church buildings available for any crisis program.

5. To encourage church people to make jobs available, especially for the summer months.

6. That the various parishes and missions mobilize their people and each area for personal involvement in helps to education, recreation, or for other social service where needed.

7. Specifically we ask each parish or mission to supply a scholarship for a child at camp this summer.

8. That each parish or mission make every effort to supply a scholarship $250 for a person to be able to go to one of our area vocational schools who cannot attend because of indigence.

9. That the priorities of the Diocese of Iowa be reordered and that parishes and mission be assessed an additional amount of 2% of the 1966 operating expenses (as found in the reports of the 116th Convention on pages 29 and 30) to assist the Diocese in meeting specific calls for the Crisis, such funds to be in addition to any already committed in this area.

10. There is no question but that the federal and local state governments are going to be strict about the matter of riots. It seems now to be a pattern that is to be established for the dispelling of rioters and looters. The communicants of this Diocese are duty-bound to see that order is kept, but that it is kept fairly and that there be responsibility in the handling of disorder. Alarm is not the order of the day. Firmness is. Our attitude must be one of concern — concern that we live together in respect and in fair treatment of each other. As Christians this is our duty.

11. We recommend that the Crisis Committee be continued to administer the Crisis Fund, and give consideration to any matters which arise in this area within the Diocese.

The resolution carried.