Resolution No. 238
RELATING TO THE PATRIOT ACT; AFFIRMING IMA COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING THE RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL CONSTIUTION; EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT THE PATRIOT ACT INFRINGES ON CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHTS; AND CALILNG UPON ARIZONA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PATIORT ACT AND ADVOCATE THE RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, Pima County recognizes the Constitution of the United States of America to be the supreme law of the land, which all public servants have sworn to uphold; and
WHEREAS, Pima County has a long and proud tradition of upholding the free exercise and enjoyment of the inalienable rights guaranteed to all persons by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America and by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
WHEREAS, Pima County greatly benefits from the many contribution s of its highly diverse population, which includes citizens from around the world and is vital to our City's unique character; and
WHEREAS, Pima County affirms its strong opposition to terrorism, but also affirms that any efforts to oppose terrorism not be waged at the expense of civil rights and liberties of people of Tucson and the United States; and
WHEREAS, provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act expand the authority of the Federal Government to detain and investigate, and engage in the electronic surveillance of, United States citizens and non-citizens and threatens our civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Pima County recognizes that an infringement of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of any person under the color of law is an abuse of power, a breach of public trust, a misappropriation of public resources, and a violation of civil rights and must be beyond the scope or governmental authority; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Board of Supervisors of Pima County remains firmly committed to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties for all people. Pima County will completely avoid unlawful discrimination in every function of County government and vigorously uphold the constitutionally protected rights of all persons to peacefully protest and express their political views.
SECTION 2. All Pima County government departments shall affirm strong commitments to preserving residents' freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and privacy, the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings, and the protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
SECTION 3. Any Federal, State, or County law enforcement officials acting within the Pima county are requested to work in accordance with the City policies and procedures, and, when cooperating with County Departments, to honor and guarantee the constitutional rights of all Pima County residents.
SECTION 4. Our Congressional delegation is called upon to monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act herein and to act as advocates for the protection of constitutional rights.