|
Submitted by: Mayor Jacobson
Introduced for approval: April 21, 2003
CITY OF NORTH POLE
RESOLUTION 03-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH POLE AFFIRMING CIVIL RIGHTS
AND LIBERTIES; REQUESTING IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF FEDERAL MEASURES THAT INFRINGE ON
CIVIL LIBERTIES
WHEREAS, the preservation of civil rights and liberties as guarded by the U.S. Constitution
and the Bill of Rights is essential to the well-being of our democratic society;
and
WHEREAS, federal, state and local governments should protect the public from terrorist
attacks such as those that occurred on September 11,2001 and should do so in a deliberate
fashion to ensure that any new securities measures will enhance public safety without
impairing constitutional rights or infringing on civil liberties; and
WHEREAS, in light of the horrific act of terrorism against the U.S. citizens and
numerous other nationalities on September 11,2001, it was a natural response on
the part of the government to take actions to prevent such acts of terrorism in
the future; and
WHEREAS, there is growing concern across the nation that language in the U.S. Patriot
Act has expanded the government's power to use eavesdropping, surveillance, access
to financial and computer records and other tools to track terrorist suspects in
ways that were not fully understood by the public or elected officials at the time
of its enactment; and
WHEREAS, the intent of this resolution is not to undermine the efforts of our elected
officials to protect its citizens, nor to criticize the valiant men and women in
law enforcement or military service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the North Pole City Council requests members
of the U.S. Congress to immediately re-examine the U.S. Patriot Act that it passed
in October 2001, amending any portion of it that infringes upon the civil rights
of U.S. citizens. This sweeping legislation required intense public review and comment
before it was passed and enacted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Pole City Council urges Congress not to re-authorize
any provision in the U.S. Patriot Act or enact the proposed U.S. Patriot Act 2 without
thorough public review of these Acts.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY A DULY CONSTITUTED QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NORTH POLE,
ALASKA THIS 21st DAY OF APRIL, 2003.
JEFFERY JAMES JACOBSON,
KATHRYN WEBER, City Clerk
|