HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-04-2014 - 4b 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 4, 2014
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Proclamation - Human Relations Month
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights and PUBLIC HEARING: (Yes/No) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Tara Fikes, 245-2490
Christine Kelly-Kleese, HRC Chair
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. The Board of County Commissioners also annually
proclaims February as "Human Relations Month" in Orange County.
The Human Relations Commission hosted its annual Human Relations Month Forum on
Sunday, January 26, 2014. The year 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. To acknowledge this anniversary, the theme of the Forum was entitled "Equal Justice
Under the Law — Are We There Yet: A Reflection on the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil
Rights Act". Forum panelists included John "Blackfeather" Jeffries, a former student at North
Carolina A&T, State Senator Valerie Foushee, and Civil Rights Attorney Al McSurely. Professor
Gene Nichol, founder of the UNC Center for Civil Rights and Director of the Center on Poverty,
Work and Opportunity, was the program moderator.
On Sunday, February 23, 2014, the Human Relations Commission will honor the recipients of
the 2013 Pauli Murray Human Relations Award. This award is presented annually to an Orange
County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that has served the
community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents.
The Human Relations Commission will also present awards to the 2013 Student Essay Contest
winners and the winners of the first annual Fair Housing Poster Contest. The ceremony will
take place in the ballroom of the Central Orange Senior Center from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the proclamation and
authorize the Chair to sign.
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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
Orange County since 1995 and remains committed to promoting equal treatment, opportunity and
understanding throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Human Relations Commission enforces the County's
Civil Rights Ordinance which 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 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 Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim
February 2014 as "HUMAN RELATIONS MONTH" in Orange County and challenge all
residents to promote the ideology of social justice for all by celebrating and encouraging
multiculturalism in the County and encouraging all residents to embrace diversity in Orange
County.
THIS THE 4"DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2014.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of County Commissioners