HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-05-2011 - 4aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 5, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. ~~
SUBJECT: Proclamation -Human Rights Week, Human Ri hts Da ,and Bill of Rights Day
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proposed Proclamation Tara Fikes, 245-2490
PURPOSE: To adopt a proclamation to officially recognize Human Rights Week, Human
Rights Day and Bill of Rights Day in Orange County during the month of December.
BACKGROUND: On December 10, 1948, the members of the United Nations signed the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and countries of different political, economic, and social
systems agreed to the fundamental rights that all people share solely on the basis of their
common humanity.
Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week were adopted by the United Nations in connection
with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Bill of Rights Day was first declared in
1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to commemorate the 1791 Ratification of the Bill of
Rights.
The Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) recognizes that before any individual
or group may seek to vindicate their rights, those rights must first be acknowledged. The HRC
hopes that acknowledgment of Human Rights Week, Human Rights Day and Bill of Rights Day
will encourage 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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt the Proclamation
regarding Human Rights Week, Human Rights Day, and Bill of Rights Day and authorize the
Chair to sign the Proclamation.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, on December 10, 1948, the member states of the United Nations signed the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and countries of different political,
economic and social systems agreed on the fundamental rights that all people
share solely on the basis of their common humanity; and
WHEREAS, Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week were adopted by the United Nations
in connection with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights Day was first declared in 1941 by President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt to commemorate the 1791 Ratification of the Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, it was the North Carolina convention, held in Hillsborough, which was instrumental
regarding the inclusion of a Bill of Rights as part of ratifying the United States
Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights guarantees, among other basic liberties, freedom of speech and
of the press as well as freedom of religion and association; and
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property
without due process of law and establishes fundamental rules of fairness in
judicial proceedings, including the right to trial by jury; and
WHEREAS, the primary responsibility to promote respect for these rights and freedoms lies with
each individual in Orange County, and each of us can play a major role in
enhancing human rights; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County support Human Rights and recognize that the
"inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human
family are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace;"
NOW, THEREFORE, We, The Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina,. do hereby proclaim
December 10 - 16, 2011 as Human Rights Week
and
December 10, 2011 as Human Rights Day
and
December 15, 2011 as Bill of Rights Day
in Orange County and challenge residents to study and promote the ideas contained in these
documents to the end that freedom, justice, and equality shall not perish but will flourish and be
made available to all.
This the 5t~' day of December 2011,
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners