Robert L. Johnson Commends U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) For Introducing A Resolution In Support Of The RLJ Rule

BETHESDA, Md., July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), announced that Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) has introduced Senate Resolution 511 (S. Res. 511) in support of The RLJ Rule (modeled after the National Football League's (NFL) Rooney Rule) to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

The RLJ Rule encourages companies to voluntarily establish a best practices policy to: (1) interview a minimum of two qualified minority candidates for managerial openings at the director level and above before making a hire; and, (2) to interview at least two qualified minority-owned businesses for supplier/services before awarding a vendor contract. 

"I applaud Senator Tim Scott for his leadership in introducing this bi-partisan resolution and garnering the support of Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Rob Portman (R-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) who share Senator Scott's belief that this country needs a stronger commitment to diversity and opportunity for minority Americans," said Johnson. "I am now urging all Members of the Senate to review and sign-on to Senator Scott's resolution because I am certain they will agree, that as the Senator's resolution reads, 'ensuring the increased exposure and resulting increase advancement of diverse qualified candidates would result in gains by all people of the United States through stronger economic performance.' "

Johnson will send a copy of S. Res. 511 to minorities currently serving on the boards of publicly traded companies, and to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable urging them and their member companies to implement the RLJ Rule. The RLJ Rule has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus, the National Urban League, the NAACP, and the U.S. Black Chamber, Inc.

S. Res. 511 can be found at: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.113sres511

About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in a publicly traded hotel real estate investment trust, private equity, financial services, asset management, automobile dealerships, sports and entertainment, and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information visit: www.rljcompanies.com.

Media inquiries: Traci Otey Blunt 240.744.7858 or [email protected] 

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SOURCE The RLJ Companies

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