HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-02-2013 - 4b 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 2, 2013
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Proclamation - Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Tara Fikes, 245-2490
PURPOSE: To officially recognize Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day and Human Rights
Week 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. Two years later, the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 10th as
Human Rights Day. Henceforth, this "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all
nations" is recognized and celebrated by the United States and countries in all regions of the
world on this date.
First proclaimed on December 15, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bill of Rights Day
recognizes the first ten amendments of the Constitution of the United States as the "great
American charter of personal liberty and human dignity". Throughout the nation the dates of
December 10 — 16th are recognized as Human Rights Week, encompassing Human Rights Day
and Bill of Rights Day.
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 Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week
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 Day, Bill of Rights Day and Human Rights Week and authorize the
Chair to sign the Proclamation.
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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, 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, 2013 as Human Rights Day
and
December 15, 2013 as Bill of Rights Day
and
December 10— 16, 2013 as Human Rights Week
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 2'd day of December 2013.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners