Community Resolution for Glendale, CA

RESOLUTION NO. 04-156

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, AFFIRMING THE PRINCIPLES OF FEDERALISM AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

WHEREAS, the Council believes there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty, and affirms its strong support of the rights of Americans to be both safe and free; and

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the United States by commandeering four commercial airliners, and destroyed the World Trade Center in New York, damaged the Pentagon and caused significant civilian casualties; and

WHEREAS, thc Council condemns all terrorist acts wherever occurring; and

WHEREAS, efforts to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism require coordination, cooperation and accountability among federal, state and local officials; and

WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the Constitution of the United States as our nation's charter of liberty and appreciates the Bill of Rights which enshrines the fundamental and inalienable rights of Americans, including meaningful recourse to the courts, access to counsel, and the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; and

WHEREAS, the City of Glendale has, with gratitude for their supreme sacrifice, memorialized those in the Armed Forces who have died in battle protecting these cherished liberties; and

WHEREAS, the prevention of future terrorist attacks is a critical priority, but it is equally important to preserve the fundamental American freedoms which have endured due to constant vigilance against periodic threats; and

WHEREAS, in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, on October 26, 2001, the U. S. Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the USA PATRIOT Act, an acronym for ""Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism""; and

WHEREAS, municipal government budgets across the nation are strained and these added duties constitute unfunded mandates for city police departments, libraries and other city departments; and

WHEREAS, the diverse population of the City of Glendale includes people who have lived in countries in which the rights of individuals are not protected by the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, in response to concerns raised about portions of the USA PATRIOT Act on civil liberties, legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate that would roll back certain provisions of this Act; and

WHEREAS, this Resolution is not intended to inhibit or prevent apprehension, trial or conviction of people who have carried out or planned attacks against the United States or any other country, but is to state the belief that the United States is a nation based on laws and that a threat to any one person's Constitutional rights is a threat to the rights of all.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, THAT the Council affirms the rights of all people, as established by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of California, and that the Council calls upon all federal, state and city officials and employees to protect these rights.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Council urges the U.S. Congress, the President and executive branch members to review, revise and rescind the executive orders, policies and legislation that limit or compromise the liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The City Clerk shall certify to the Adoption of this Resolution.

Adopted by the Council of the City of Glendale on this 31st day of August, 2004.

I, Doris Twedt, City Clerk of the City of Glendale, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 04-15 6 was adopted by a majority vote of the Council of the City of Glendale, California, at a regular meeting held on the 31st day of August, 2004, and that the same was adopted by the following vote:

Ayes: Gomez, Manoukian, Quintero, Yousefian

Noes: Weaver

Absent: None