HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-20-2011 - 3bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 20, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. ,3 - b
SUBJECT: Proclamation Acknowledging February as "Human Relations Month"
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tara L. Fikes, 245-2490
PURPOSE: To officially proclaim the month of February as "Human Relations Month" in
Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The Governor annually proclaims the month of February as "Human
Relations Month" in North Carolina and the Board of County Commissioners has traditionally
done the same. Human Relations Month provides a time for the community to acknowledge its
commitment to equal opportunity for all County residents.
On Sunday, January 30, 2011, the Human Relations Month Kickoff will be held at the Carrboro
Century Center in Carrboro from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Event details follow.
Panel Discussion
A Community Conversation on Immigration:
"What are the Implications for Orange County and its Residents?"
Panelists: Keenon James, Director of Special Projects, North Carolina Sheriffs' Association
Cristina Marcela Rivera, EI Salvador Native
Marty Rosenbluth, Immigration Attorney
Zaragosa Vargas, UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan Distinguished Professor of History
Light refreshments will be provided.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proposed
proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
HUMAN RELATIONS MONTH PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission believes that in order to
achieve justice and equal opportunity for all Orange County residents, we must all strive to create
an atmosphere where people are valued and accepted rather than merely tolerated, and therefore
continue to promote the ideal of social justice for all; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission has diligently served the
County of Orange since 1995 and is committed to promoting equal treatment, opportunity and
understanding throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, the County's Civil Rights Ordinance specifically prohibits discrimination
based on an individual's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran
status and familial status; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes the dignity and worth of each individual and desires
to promote and maintain a climate of good will among individuals, races, ethnic groups and
persons of varying social, religious and economic status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital
status or status with regard to public assistance; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission encourages Orange
County residents, as individuals, to take a stand against social injustice and continue to work
together to make freedom, justice, and equal opportunity available for all; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to preserving the progress made thus far
towards equality and leading the challenge for equal opportunity using all the means at our
disposal;
NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina, do hereby proclaim February 2011 as "HUMAN RELATIONS MONTH" in Orange
County and challenge County residents to promote the ideology of social justice for all and to
celebrate multiculturalism in our county by encouraging residents to embrace our diversity.
This the 20Th day of January, 2011.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners