LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution re: the USA Patriot Act and the Preservation of Civil Liberties
10/08/03 1017
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Commissioners recognize the Constitution of the United States of America to be the supreme law of the land, which all public servants are sworn to uphold; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Commissioners is committed to upholding the human rights of all persons in Lake County and all rights and privileges secured by our Constitution and the laws of the United States, which guarantee all citizens the following rights:
- Freedom of Speech, Assembly and Privacy;
- The right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and
- Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Commissioners believe these civil liberties are precious and are now threatened by:
The USA Patriot Act, which
- all but eliminates judicial supervision of telephone and internet surveillance;
- greatly expands the governments ability to conduct secret searches;
- gives the Attorney General and the Secretary of State the power to designate domestic groups as "terrorist organizations"; and
- grants the FBI broad access to sensitive medical, mental health, financial, and educational records about individuals without having to show evidence of a crime and without a court order; and
Federal Executive Orders, which
- establish secret military tribunals for terrorism suspects;
- permits wire tapping of conversations between federal prisoners and their lawyers;
- lifts Justice Department regulations against illegal
COINTELPRO-type operations by the FBI (covert activities that in the past targeted domestic groups and individuals); and limits the disclosure of public documents and records under the Freedom of Information Act;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1) the Lake County Board of Commissioners will continue to preserve residents' freedom of speech, religion,
assembly and privacy; right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; and
2) the Lake County Board of Commissioners will urge the United States Federal Government and its various branches representatives, and employees to act in a fair, open and consistent manner by ensuring that all individuals are afforded their appropriate rights to due process; and
3) the Lake County Board of Commissioners will urge the US Congressional Representation and Senators to monitor the implementation of the USA Patriot Act and actively work for repeal of the parts of the Act and those Executive Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties.
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COUNTY OF LAKE
I, Shelly Myers, Clerk of the Board of Commissioners for the County of Lake, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed by the Lake County Board of Commissioners at a regular meeting held on October 8, 2003.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal at Baldwin. Michigan, this 8th day of October, 2003.