HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4-e - Resolution Repealing the 1959 Designation of US Highway 15 as the Jefferson Davis National Highway 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 16, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-e
SUBJECT: Resolution Repealing the 1959 Designation of US Highway 15 as the Jefferson
Davis National Highway
DEPARTMENT: County Attorney
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution John Roberts, 919-245-2318
PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution to repeal the 1959 Board of Commissioners designation of
US Highway 15 as the Jefferson Davis National Highway.
BACKGROUND: Orange County residents have expressed concerns regarding a 1959 Board
action designating the section of US Highway 15 from the Durham line to the Chatham line as
part of the Jefferson Davis National Highway. Staff research indicates that neither the United
States Department of Transportation nor the North Carolina Department of Transportation
recognizes a Jefferson Davis National Highway.
The 1959 resolution had no legal or practical effect other than to recognize Jefferson Davis, the
only president of the Confederate States of America. Local governing boards are free to pass
and repeal resolutions as they see fit so long as repealing a resolution is done with equivalent
procedural safeguards as were utilized in approving it. In this case it does not appear the
original resolution was approved after any type of special public notice or public hearing, but
rather was adopted similar to the way the BOCC currently approves general resolutions.
The legal effect of adopting the attached resolution is limited to repealing the 1959 resolution. A
plaque recognizing the Jefferson Davis National Highway is situated within the state-maintained
right of way and is believed by staff at the NCDOT to be privately owned. The County does not
have legal authority to encroach into the right of way or to remove the plaque.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this action.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt the attached resolution
repealing the 1959 designation.
2
R ES-2018-060
A RESOLUTION REPEALING THE JUNE 1, 1959 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING U.S. ROUTE 15 IN ORANGE COUNTY AS THE
JEFFERSON DAVIS NATIONAL HIGHWAY
WHEREAS, in the mid-twentieth century a private group began a movement to
designate a coast to coast national highway as the Jefferson Davis Highway, Jefferson
Davis Memorial Highway, or Jefferson Davis National Highway; and
WHEREAS, this group approached local and state governments across the nation for
support in the form of local roadway dedications; and
WHEREAS, on June 1, 1959, pursuant to one such request, the Orange County Board
of Commissioners voted to support a resolution designating that section of U.S. Route
15 situated in Orange County as the "Jefferson Davis National Highway"; and
WHEREAS, the federal government never designated or adopted a Jefferson Davis
Highway, Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway, or Jefferson Davis National Highway; and
WHEREAS, because there is no official "Jefferson Davis National Highway" the 1959
resolution has no legal or practical effect and serves only to recognize Jefferson Davis;
and
WHEREAS, Jefferson Davis, though a United States Senator, was also the President of
the Confederacy, a slave owner, and defender of the institution of slavery, and later a
defender of white supremacy; and
WHEREAS, the institution of slavery and its legacy of white supremacy must not be
glorified by the recognition of the individuals who defend them; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners is committed to dismantling the legacy of
racism and inequality that continues to stain our community;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby REPEALS the June 1,
1959 resolution designating the section of U.S. Route 15 in Orange County as the
Jefferson Davis National Highway.
This the 16th day of October, 2018.