HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation proclaiming Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day and Human Rights Week 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.
- -�a -
Barry Jacob , Ch
Orange Co issioners