HomeMy WebLinkAbout020617_pcp01JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Leslie Locke, Executive Assistant
DATE: February 6, 2017
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming Unwavering Commitment to the
Inalienable Human Rights and Dignity of All Individuals and Equality
Under the Law and Constitution
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Human Rights Proclamation re: Proclaiming Unwavering Commitment to the Inalienable Human Rights and
Dignity of All Individuals and Equality Under the Law and Constitution and continue to strive to make
Jefferson County a welcoming place that is safe and healthy for all, free of discrimination and hatred, and
invite all residents to join in safeguarding these values and promote a climate of tolerance, inclusion and
civic engagement in the community.
The Board may invite interested Elected Officials to provide comments regarding the proposed Human
Rights proclamation, and to join in signing the Proclamation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATION:
Review and finalize the Human Rights Proclamation. Action may be taken to approve the proclamation.
REVIEWED BY:
C) �2
' `Philip Morley, County Administrator Date
"ON
HUMAN RIGHTS PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, as elected officials of Jefferson County, we are committed to protecting the
inalienable human rights, dignity and equality of all individuals, regardless of age, race, national
origin, immigration and citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital
status, religion, creed, or mental or physical disability; and
WHEREAS, we have sworn an oath of office to support the Constitution and Laws of the United
States and the State of Washington to uphold and protect the constitutional rights of individuals;
and
WHEREAS, as a people, this nation has striven mightily to live up to and perfect its expression
of those values, through a civil war and a Second World War, and through citizen movements
such as the Suffrage movement of the 1800s and early 1900s, the Civil Rights movement of the
mid 1900s, the Gay Rights and LGBTQ movement of the 1970s to the present, and many other
movements for equality and tolerance, which, over time, have resulted in court cases and
legislation in Washington DC and Washington State that enshrine and protect the values of
human rights, dignity and equality; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County serves all residents and we strive to make services accessible to
all, and county agencies and law enforcement do not withhold services based on ancestry, race,
ethnicity, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, color, age, sex, sexual orientation,
gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disability, or religion; and
WHEREAS, the public relies on Jefferson County for protection of their civil and human rights
and in turn, Jefferson County relies on public trust as critical to maintaining safe communities,
we encourage residents to report instances of discrimination, harassment, violence, bullying and
expression of hate based on difference; and
WHEREAS, history has tragically taught us that intolerance and discrimination are still potent
threats to a just society, and that when people stand by and allow such acts to occur without
speaking up or taking action, it can enable hatred, discrimination and intolerance to deepen and
spread; and
WHEREAS, recent events and political uncertainty have shown the need for continued vigilance
to ensure that human and civil rights, and the rule of law and due process are upheld;
NOW, THEREFORE, the elected officials of Jefferson County who have signed below hereby
proclaim our unwavering commitment to the inalienable human rights and dignity of all
individuals and equality under the law and constitution, and that we will continue to strive to
make Jefferson County a welcoming place that is safe and healthy for all, free of discrimination
and hatred, and we invite all residents to join us in safeguarding these values and promoting a
climate of tolerance, inclusion and civic engagement in our community.
SIGNED this day of February, 2017.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
SEAL: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery
Deputy Clerk of the Board
Kathleen Kler, Chair
David Sullivan, Member
Kate Dean, Member
CO-SIGNING JEFFERSON COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
Jeff Chapman
Jefferson County Assessor
Rose Ann Carroll
Jefferson County Auditor
Ruth Gordon
Jefferson County Clerk ,
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Michael Haas
Jefferson County Prosecutor
David Stanko
Jefferson County Sheriff
Stacie Prada
Jefferson County Treasurer