FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO.2004-25
A RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM THE PRINCIPLE OF OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES
WHEREAS, the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) believes there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty and affirms its strong support of the right of Americans to be both safe and free; and
WHEREAS, the FNSB recognizes the Constitution of the United States as our nation's charter of liberty and that the Bill of Rights enshrines the fundamental and inalienable rights of America, including the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; and
WHEREAS, the act entitled ""Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism"" (called ""USA PATRIOT Act"") contains several provisions that reduce freedoms guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and adds to Executive Branch powers at the expense of the Legislative and Judicial Branches; and
WHEREAS, Congress has passed additional legislation, beyond the Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act, to curb our civil rights. HR 2417 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, passed the Senate and House and allows: the FBI to demand records from a number of businesses, without the approval of a judge or grand jury; enhances the use of ""national security letters"" by expanding the definition of ""financial institution"" to include the US Post Office, travel agencies, car dealers, and
other businesses whose ""cash transactions have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory matters""; and
WHEREAS, our citizens' rights are violated because there is a ""gag order"" provision on ""national security letters"" which prevents reporting by the FBI, Justice Department or the businesses that are required to turn over their records, to the
individual or group being investigated or to attorneys or anyone else; and
WHEREAS, the FNSB supports the National League of Cities Resolution #2004.37, a Resolution Affirming the Principles of Federalism and Civil Liberties, passed in December 2003.
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-25