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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2017.02.15 - 22797REQUESTING SUSPENSION OF THE BOARD RULES FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION UNDER NEW BUSINESS MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION 1117042 . BY: Commissioner David E. S. Bowman, District #10 n .._ju-t P- IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DESIGNATION OF FEBRUARY ,?017 AS AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN OAKLAND COUNTY C To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners 117- 0 (6P M _q 4 6-c_AUleer.p, 13 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 who fanned the flames of fairness that has been woven into the fabric of our Nation -- the everlasting universal values of democracy — caring, fairness, citizenship, respect, responsibility, and trust; and WHEREAS the history of African Americans unfolds across the canvas of America, beginning before the arrival of the Mayflower and continuing to the present; and WHEREAS from port cities where Africans disembarked from slave ships to the battlefields where their descendants fought for freedom, from the colleges and universities where they pursued education to places where they created communities during centuries of migration, the imprint of Americans of African descent is deeply embedded in the narrative of the American past; and WHEREAS the story of America cannot be told without preserving and reflecting on the places where African Americans have made history: the Kingsley Plantation, DuSable's home site, the numerous stops along the Underground Railroad, Seneca Village, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and Frederick Douglass' home, as well as, the home of the father of black history, Dr. Carter G. Woodson — to name just a few— are sites that keep alive the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in our consciousness and prompt us to remember and over time became hallowed grounds; and WHEREAS these landmarks retain and refresh the memories of our forebears' struggles for freedom and justice, and their belief in God's grace and mercy. Similarly, the hallowed grounds of Mary McLeod Bethune's home in Washington, D.C., 125th Street in Harlem, Beale Street in Memphis, and Sweet Auburn Avenue in Atlanta tell the story of our struggle for equal citizenship during the American century; and WHEREAS our American history is 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 we remember the sacrifice of African Americans who bravely served their country in all of our country's wars, dating back to the Revolutionary War until the present day, to protect and preserve freedom around the world; and WHEREAS we celebrate the symbolism of America's democracy and the ability of its people to stand up for justice, equality, equal employment opportunities, equal protection under the law, along with social, economic and legal justice; and WHEREAS this year marks the 41st anniversary of the passage of Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of "religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status" in employment, housing, education, and access to public accommodations and reflects the continuation of America's democracy; and WHEREAS as we reflect on the many sacrifices made and milestones reached in our nation's struggle to eliminate legal and political inequality for all Americans, regardless of race, we recognize that this important work continues and that it is the responsibility of all citizens to be vigilant in combating discrimination wherever it exists. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners does hereby commemorate the contributions, sacrifices and achievements of African Americans by designating February 2017 as African American History Month in Oakland County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we honor 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 all people for full inclusion and human dignity. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as we reflect, 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 Commissioner David E. S. Bowman District.#11:1 - Ssioner District # Commissioner District # Conlmissioner District # Commissiorfer District # L CO?nrnissioner District # Commission District # ommissioner Distrid# Commissioner District -410r Ad Commissioner District # dOnirnission District # 1 Cornmissi DisliTET a Commis ne st ct # CommiVsion Dyfict/# Commissi6ne Distri9t # < 6,4) Commissioner District # 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." Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution. Lisa Brown, Oakland County Resolution #17042 February 15, 2017 Moved by Bowman supported by Hoffman to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous Resolution #17042 — Board of Commissioners — Designation of February 2017 as African American History Month in Oakland County. Vote on motion to suspend the rules: AYES: KowaII, Long, McGillivray, Middleton, Quarles, Spisz, Taub, Tietz, Weipert, Woodward, Zack, Berman, Bowman, Crawford, Dwyer, Fleming, Gershenson, Gingell, Hoffman, Jackson, Kochenderfer. (21) NAYS: None. (0) A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous Resolution #17042 — Board of Commissioners — Designation of February 2017 as African American History Month in Oakland County carried. Moved by Bowman supported by Berman the resolution be adopted. AYES: Long, McGillivray, Middleton, Quarles, Spisz, Taub, Tietz, Weipert, Woodward, Zack, Berman, Bowman, Crawford, Dwyer, Fleming, Gershenson, Gingell, Hoffman, Jackson, Kochenderfer, KowaII. (21) NAYS: None. (0) A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted. I HEREBY APPMOVE THIS litSOLUTION CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE ACTING PURSUANT TO MCL 45.559A (7) 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 February 15, 2017, 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 15th day of February, 2017.