NEW BUSINESS
Introduced by: Referral No. 9272
Hon. Douglas J. Jobson, Sponsor March 5, 2013
Hon. Patrick J. Moroney, Sponsor
Hon. Ilan S. Schoenberger, Sponsor
Hon. Alden H. Wolfe, Co-Sponsor
RESOLUTION NO. 128 OF 2013
EXPRESSING THE ROCKLAND COUNTY LEGISLATURE’S OUTRAGE AND DISGUST FOR THE HATEFUL CONDUCT THAT IS TAKING PLACE IN ROCKLAND COUNTY ON THE EVE OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY, UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMNING ALL ACTS OF A DEROGATORY AND/OR DEFAMATORY NATURE THAT MISREPRESENT OR PROMOTE HATE, BIAS AND RIDICULE DIRECTED AT RELIGIOUS, ETHNIC, RACIAL AND CULTURAL GROUPS, AND PROCLAIMING THE ROCKLAND COUNTY LEGISLATURE’S FULL SUPPORT FOR THE RELIGIOUS, ETHNIC, RACIAL AND CULTURAL GROUPS THAT COMPRISE ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN NEW YORK STATE AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
JOBSON/LOW-HOGAN, MORONEY, SCHOENBERGER, SOSKIN: UNAN.
WHEREAS, the Rockland County Legislature is proud of Rockland’s racial, cultural and ethnic diversity, and the fact that Rockland is home to residents of different ancestry; and
WHEREAS, the Rockland County Legislature continuously seeks, as a matter of public policy, to promote harmony in all communities, and to represent faithfully all Rockland residents; and
WHEREAS, by Resolutions 112 of 2007, 238 of 2010 and 113 of 2012, the Rockland County Legislature previously condemned offensive behavior and will continue to oppose such action whenever they occur; and
WHEREAS, the Rockland County Legislature is proud of its large Irish community and is respectful of that community’s integrity and community spirit; and
WHEREAS, while the Rockland County Legislature respects the sacredness of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the freedoms that it embodies, the Legislature of Rockland County has become aware of the most offensive, derogatory materials now offered for sale at Spencer’s at the Palisades Center, West Nyack, New York, which specifically target members of Rockland’s Irish-American community; and
WHEREAS, materials, including hats, shirts and other materials which promote ridicule and seek to degrade any ethnic culture should not be permitted to be sold in a public forum especially where children may be exposed and have access to said materials; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Rockland County Legislature expresses its outrage at and disgust for the hateful conduct that is taking place in Rockland County on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, and unequivocally condemns all acts of hate and bias directed at religious, ethnic, racial and cultural groups, and proclaims its full support for all religious, ethnic, racial and cultural groups that comprise our county; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the County should endeavor to publish this resolution’s intent through the various media outlets in Rockland County and encourage the removal of these offensive materials; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Legislature be and he is hereby authorized and directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Anti-Defamation League; the American and New York chapters of the Civil Liberties Union; all Rockland County School District Superintendents and School Boards, all Rockland County Parent-Teacher organizations; Rockland County Commission on Human Rights, General Manager of the Palisades Center/A Pyramid Management Group LLC, and such other persons or organizations as the Clerk, in his discretion, may deem proper in order to effectuate the purpose of this resolution.
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