HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-01-2008 - 3bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 1, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No. .3 ~- ~j
SUBJECT: Proclamation for Human Relations Commission's Celebration of Bill of Rights
Day, Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights & Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
HRC Recommendation and Proposed Shoshannah Smith, 960-3877
Proclamation
PURPOSE: To highlight the importance of Human Rights in Orange County and beyond by
approving a proclamation and recognizing Bill of Rights Day, Human Rights Day, and Human
Rights Week.
BACKGROUND: Each year since 2005, the Board of County Commissioners has adopted a
proclamation recognizing Bill of Rights Day, Human Rights Day, and Human Rights Week. This
year, Human Rights Week is December 10th - 16th; Human Rights Day is December 10th; and
Bill of Rights Day is December 15th. The Orange County Human Relations Commission
requests that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the attached proclamation recognizing
these important Human Relations milestones.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the Proclamation
regarding Bill of Rights Day, Human Rights Day, and Human Rights Week and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
a
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
HUMAN RIGHTS 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 agreeing 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, 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 1 O - 7 G, 2008 to be HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK
and
December 1 O, 2008 as HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
and
December 15, 2008 as BILL OF RIGHTS DAY
in Orange County and challenge our 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 Isr DAY OF December, 2008.
BARRY JACOBS ,Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners