Resolution: Support Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act
Offered by Councilman Wemp
Seconded by Councilman Shapiro
WHEREAS Federal policies adopted since September 11, 2001, including provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) and related executive orders, regulations and actions threaten fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed by the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and
WHEREAS letters of inquiry were sent to Congressman Maurice Hinchey by members of the Woodstock Town Board seeking guidance concerning the implications of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107 - 56) and asking for further information about the passage of that bill, and
WHEREAS on March 18, 2002 the Woodstock Town Board passed a resolution calling for review of the USA PATRIOT Act and an effort to ""actively work for the repeal of those provisions which violate fundamental rights and liberties set forth in the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of New York,"" and
WHEREAS Congressman Maurice Hinchey is a sponsor of The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act, a bill which provides for review of recently enacted legislation relating to terrorism, to assure that powers granted to the Executive Branch by such legislation do not undermine the civil liberties of Americans, and
WHEREAS The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act calls for immediate review of provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) including:
- Section 213, relating to ""sneak and peek"" searches,
- Section 214, relating to use of pen registers for foreign intelligence purposes,
- Section 215, relating to obtaining by the government of certain business records,
- Section 216, relating to the use of pen registers in criminal cases,
- Section 218, relating to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act,
- Section 411, relating to the new grounds for deportation,
- Section 412, relating to mandatory detention of certain aliens,
- Section 505, relating to national security letters,
- Section 507, relating to educational records,
- Section 508, relating to the collection and disclosure of individually identifiable information under the National Education Statistics Act of 1994, and
- Section 802, relating to the definition of domestic terrorism, and
WHEREAS The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act would also review the Homeland Security Act of 2002, provisions of the Aviation Security Act, certain immigration regulations and orders and guidelines affecting Freedom of Information, religious groups and attorney-client privilege, Now therefore be it
RESOLVED to support Congressman Maurice Hinchey in his sponsorship of The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act and in his efforts to enact the same, and be it further
RESOLVED to call upon Senator Charles E. Schumer and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to lend their support in the passing of this bill, and be it further
RESOLVED to instruct the Woodstock Town Clerk to forward a copy of this resolution to each of the above-named duly elected officials.
All voted aye. 5-0
I solemnly attest that the above is a true and exact copy of a resolution passed by the Town Board of the Town of Woodstock at a meeting held on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 in Woodstock, NY
Katherine M. Anderson, Town Clerk December 23, 2003