HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2013.12.12 - 21146MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #13326
BY: Commissioners Mattie McKinney Hatchett, District #10, Bill Dw -i.....Di,trict #14, Marcia
Gershenson, District #13 laine Zac istrict 18 Jeff atis, D'stric #15, N4Q-e7pisz, District #3, Bob
Hoffman, District #2 PS--
IN RE: BOARD OF C MMISgIO 5- COMME ORATIN
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the dream of freedom and equality is forever intertwined into the American Dream. It is a
dream that, today, is sustained because of the hope and painstaking efforts of Americans sung and
unsung, who fanned the flames of fairness that has been woven into the fabric of ow' Nation -- the
everlasting universal values of democracy -- caring, fairness, citizenship, respect, responsibility, and trust;
and
WHEREAS the milestones in American history are enriched and enlightened due to the inclusion and
contributions of African Americans who were pivotal in the struggle for civil rights in America and
equality of all humanity across the world; and
WHEREAS the Year 2013, heralds 150 years since United States President Abraham Lincoln signed the
Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing an enslaved people of African American descent from the
bondages of the dehumanizing institution of slavery and an unjust economic and social system based on
racism; and
WHEREAS the Year 2013, marks the 50 th anniversary of the struggle for freedom and the unwavering
fight for justice, economic equality, and human dignity encapsulated in the Civil Rights Movement. It
was 50 years ago, in August 1963, when the momentous March on Washington for Jobs and Justice was
led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countless leaders of the civil rights movement, including labor,
the faith community, and the giants for justice created a coalition of which Americans from all walks of
life stood for justice and humanity seeking fair wages and equal treatment of African Americans in our
nation; and
WHEREAS we remember the legacy of the many brave men and women of all races who were willing to
put their lives on the line, including the Freedom Riders, many of whom were college students, who held
protests for the full inclusion of African Americans in American Society; and
WHEREAS we remember the Tuskegee Airmen, the Triple Nickels, the Montford Point Marines, the
761st Tank Battalion, and all African Americans who bravely served their country in all wars, dating back
to the Revolutionary War until the present day battles of our nation, to protect and preserve freedom
around the world; and
WHEREAS the Year 2013 commemorated the milestone 100th Birthday celebration of Rosa Parks, the
Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights movement in February 2013. Mrs. Parks' dignified civil
disobedience helped set the stage for the non-violent fight for freedom in this country; and
WHEREAS in the Year 2013, we mourned the memory of the Four Little Girls murdered in a
Birmingham, Alabama church bombing in 1963. We paused in prayer to reflect upon this seminal and
tragic moment in U.S. history, which helped give rise to the enactment of civil rights laws; and
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WHEREAS since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation 150 years ago and the March on
Washington 50 years ago, we have seen the struggle not only for freedom, full equality, economic and
social justice continue to resonate, not only for African Americans in America, but for all people in the
world; and
WHEREAS the African American struggle has benefitted the advances and inclusion of women in all
facets of society, as well as immigrants; it has called upon our nation to continue to fight racism and
discrimination of any person regardless of their race, creed or color; it has inspired nations of people
across the world with protests and marches; it has called upon the world to take a stand and realize
injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere; it has helped to make the world see the value of all
humanity and join in the recognition of individuals, like the late President Nelson Mandela who prevailed
against seemingly insurmountable odds and won the hearts and minds of the world in the struggle for
freedom in his native land of South Africa, and who learned the lessons of America's history and its
people of African American descent while seeking to attain democracy in his own country; and
WHEREAS we celebrate the symbolism of America's democracy and the ability of its people to fight
injustice and stand up for righteousness through the African American experience and struggles for full
inclusion in American society for equal employment opportunities, equal protection under the law, along
with social, economic and legal justice.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners does hereby
commemorate some of these pivotal milestones in America's history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we celebrate and continue to learn the Lessons of history to make our
country a more perfect union, while continuing to create and help manifest a reality for African
Americans and all people for full inclusion and human dignity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as we reflect on the historic milestones of 2013, we also remember
and are guided by the words of Nelson Mandela, "I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried
not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a
great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to
steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can
only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is
not ended."
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Resolution #13326 December 12, 2013
Moved by Hatchett supported by Hoffman to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous Resolution
#13326 - Board of Commissioners - Commemorating 2013 Historic Milestones.
Vote on motion to suspend the rules:
AYES: Long, Matis, McGillivray, Middleton, Quarles, Runestad, Scott, Spisz, Taub, Weipert,
Zack, Bosnic, Crawford, Dwyer, Gershenson. (18)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous
Resolution #13326 - Board of Commissioners - Commemorating 2013 Historic Milestones carried.
Discussion followed.
Moved by Hatchett supported by Hoffman the resolution be adopted.
Moved by Runestad supported by Hatchett the resolution be amended as follows'
Please Strike this section of the 10 th WHEREAS PARAGRAPH
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Vote on amendment:
AYES: Matis, McGillivray, Middleton, Quarles, Runestad, Scott, Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Zack,
Bosnic, Crawford, Dwyer, Gershenson, Hatchett, Hoffman, Jackson, Long. (18)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the amendment carried.
Discussion followed.
Vote on resolution, as amended:
AYES: McGillivray, Middleton, Quarles, Runestad, Scott, Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Zack, Bosnic,
Crawford, Dwyer, Gershenson, Hatchett, Hoffman, Jackson, Long, Matis. (18)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution, as amended, was adopted.
DOES NOT REQUIRE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ACTION'
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on December 12,
2013, with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at
Pontiac, Michigan this 12 th day of December 2013.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County