Community Resolution for Savannah, GA

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF SAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL, JUNE 24, 2004

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah has historically been home to diverse population, including students, working people and non-citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah is committed to upholding the civil rights and civil liberties of its diverse population under the Constitutions and the laws of Georgia and the United States; and

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah 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 October 26, 2001, the U. S. Congress passed and
President Bush signed into law, the ""Uniting and
Strengthening American by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism"" (USA PATRIOT)
Act in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11,
2001; and

WHEREAS, some provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act impose unfunded mandates on local government budgets; and

WHEREAS, four states, 329 cities, towns, and counties, and the National League of Cities have passed resolutions, ordinances or ballot initiatives expressing concern about or opposition to the USA PATRIOT Act,

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah hosted 0-8 Summit 2004 activities and it gratefully received significant, cooperative Federal and State assistance in the secure staging of the event; and

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah fully supports the actions of the U.S. Military, and especially supports the troops from Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart, and other Federal agencies in combating terrorism and bringing peace both at home and abroad, and specifically does not intend this resolution to, in any way, distract from our support in combating domestic and international terrorism; and

WHEREAS, the USA PATRIOT Act has a ""sunset"" provision which terminates the Act at the conclusion of 2004, requiring the next U.S. Congress to debate any re-enacting legislation, therefore the intent of this resolution is to provide input for any subsequent Congressional debate to readopt the USA PATRIOT Act.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah urge the Georgia Congressional Delegation to monitor the implementation of the USA Patriot Act to prevent violations of the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of Georgia and the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Aldermen urge the members of the Georgia Congressional delegation to support amending the PATRIOT ACT as necessary in order to protect our nation's fundamental and inalienable rights and liberties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Aldermen call on Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, and other related agencies to partner with cities to protect our hometowns while simultaneously preserving the liberties of Americans.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 24 DAY OF JUNE 2004 UPON NOTION OF ALDERMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN JACKSON AND CARRIED.