Community Resolution for Lewis and Clark, MT

RESOLUTION 2004-62
A RESOLUTION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

WHEREAS, in response to the destruction of the World Trade Center towers (WTC) in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. by a terrorist act on September 11, 2001, the U.S. Congress passed the USA Patriot Act and the Justice Department revised its internal orders restricting procedures for investigation and detention; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners supports programs to prevent terrorist violence in the future and to protect the people from the consequences of such future attacks; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners does not think it necessary or desirable that such programs should diminish civil rights that were enjoyed in America prior to the destruction of the WTC and the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, the County of Lewis and Clark fully supports the men and women in the armed forces who defend and protect these cherished rights, including those who have made the supreme sacrifice doing so; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Board of County Commissioners have taken an oath of office which includes the protection and defense of these rights and liberties.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners reaffirms allegiance to civil liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the Montana Constitution as core values of our society and nation, and allegiance to the procedures that protect them; and

Reaffirms that Lewis and Clark County works to preserve the people's freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and privacy; rights to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; and

That the Clerk of the Board shall provide a copy of this resolution to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff, the Lewis and Clark County Attorney, the Attorneys General of the State of Montana and the United States, the Montana Congressional delegation, and the President of the United States.

DATED this 6th day of May, 2004.

LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST:

Paulette DeHart, Clerk of the Board
Michael A. Murray, Chairman