HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2006.04.06 - 28067REPORT (misc. 106070) April 6, 2006
BY: General Government Committee, William Patterson, Chairperson
IN RE: MR #06070 — BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR BILL
RESTRICTING PROTESTS AT FUNERALS
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The General Government Committee, having reviewed the above-titled
resolution on March 27, 2006, recommends that the resolution be adopted with the
following amendments.
- Title (insert underlined language)
MR #06070 — BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR BILL
RESTRICTING PROTESTS AT MILITARY FUNERALS AT NATIONAL
CEMETERIES
First BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED (insert underlined language)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby supports federal and state legislation to restrict protests at the funerals of
military personnel at national cemeteries and urges our federal and State of Michigan
legislatures to adopt such legislation.
Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I move acceptance
of the foregoing report.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
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GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gregory absent.
Miscellaneous Resolution #06070
BY: Commissioners Eric S. Wilson, District #3 and David Coulter, District #25
RE: Board of Commissioners - Support for Bill Restricting Protests at Funerals
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS we join with citizens across the nation in honoring our brave military men and women
who each day place themselves in harms way to protect the freedom of every American and our
Nation as a whole; and
WHEREAS we have tremendous gratitude for the courage and selflessness exemplified by the
members of the armed forces, at home and abroad; and
WHEREAS when a member of the armed forces gives the ultimate sacrifice and dies in the line of
duty, the thoughts and prayers of the entire Nation are with the family of the deceased at such an
extraordinarily difficult time; and
WHEREAS the solemn private gathering of families peacefully mourning the loss of their husbands,
wives, sons or daughters, who died fighting for our nation, are violated when funeral ceremonies are
targeted for hateful picketing and public demonstrations; and
WHEREAS small groups from the Westboro Baptist Church, in Topeka, Kansas have protested at
funerals for servicemen who were stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In several states, including
Michigan, this congregation's members have subjected grieving families to disrespectful verbal
attacks, threats and intimidation; and
WHEREAS to ensure that freedom and dignity are preserved and protected, U.S. Congressman Mike
Rogers from Michigan, is introducing legislation that will restrict protests at funerals at national
cemeteries for 60 minutes before or after a funeral, and will restrict any protests to remain 500 feet
or more from the grave site or individuals that they are protesting; and
WHEREAS Senate Bill 2452 - the Dignity for Military Funerals Act of 2006, has been introduced in
the United States Senate to prohibit picketing at the funerals of members and former members of
the armed forces; and
WHEREAS the federal legislation will prohibit any state or local unit of government from issuing a
permit allowing, or otherwise authorizing, picketing during the funeral of a member or former member
of the armed forces. The proposed legislation will make it unlawful for any person to engage in
picketing at the funeral of a member or former member of the armed forces; and
WHEREAS at least 17 state legislatures this year have considered or already passed laws against
protesting at funerals.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
upholds the principle that our fallen military personnel should be treated with honor and respect and
that their grieving families should have the undisturbed freedom to bury their loved ones - who so
nobly served our country - in peace and dignity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby supports
federal and state legislation to restrict protests at the funerals of military personnel and urges our
federal and State of Michigan legislatures to adopt such legislation.
Commissioner Eric S. Wi
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forwarded copies of this
adopted resolution to Congressman Mike Rogers, the President of the United States, the Oakland
County delegation to the United States House and Senate the Governor of the State of Michigan,
the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties,
the National Association of Counties, and the Oakland County lobbyists.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
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Resolution #06070 March 23, 2006
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee, There were no objections.
I NEW APPROVE THE FORS=
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Resolution #06070 April 6, 2006
Moved by Wilson supported by Patterson the resolution be adopted.
Moved by Wilson supported by Patterson the General Government Committee Report be accepted.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the report was accepted.
Moved by Wilson supported by Patterson the resolution be amended to coincide with the
recommendation in the General Government Committee Report.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the amendment carried.
Discussion followed.
Vote on resolution, as amended:
AYES: KowaII, Long, Middleton, Molnar, Moss, Nash, Palmer, Patterson, Potter, Rogers, Scott,
Suarez, Wilson, Woodward, Zack, Bullard, Crawford, Douglas, Gershenson, Gregory, Hatchett,
Jamian. (22)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution, as amended, was adopted.
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Ruth Johnson, 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 April 6, 2006, 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 6th day of April, 2006.
Ruth Johns, County Clerk