HomeMy WebLinkAboutDECLARATION OF POLICY ABOUT HUMAN DIGNITYPage 8 - City CounciURedevelopment Agency Minutes - *06/96
A Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity
by the Huntington Beach City Council
Huntington Beach is a city whose residents represent every walk of life, come from many nations,
share varied lifestyles, and hold different religious beliefs. This diversity brings to our city a rich
and varied cultural heritage. Our citizens honor and respect the diversity that exists in Huntington
Beach. When acts of hate are committed against any citizen, it is considered an act against the
entire community.
The Huntington Beach City Council declares that everyone should be treated with courtesy and
respect, regardless of their racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their
sexual orientation, gender or disability status. It is the right of all citizens to pursue their daily lives
with the knowledge that they will not be physically harmed or verbally abused.
The Huntington Beach City Council states in the strongest terms that it will vigorously fight crimina
activity known as "hate crime" with all of the resources at its disposal. A hate crime is any criminal
or attempted criminal act which is motivated by the victim's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual
orientation, gender or disability status. It may invdlve a verbal, written or physical action that is
intended to create emotional suffering, physical harm or property damage.
The City Council warns those who advocate or perpetrate hate not to test the community's resolve
to oppose them. It is the city's stated policy to vigorously pursue a course of investigation,
apprehension, prosecution, conviction and incarceration of all those who participate in hate crimes
In support of this declaration, the City Council sends these messages:
To the community we say, "Believe in the interdependence of all people. Participate at your place
of worship and community meetings, and lend your voice in opposing hate."
To the schools we say, "Continue your programs and curricula which promote respect towards
those who are different. Call on resources of the city, the county, the state and the nation as you
engage in the educational process to battle hate."
To the parents we say, "Act as positive role models for our children by demonstrating tolerance
towards those whose race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability status may
be different from yours. You are the most powerful influence on your children's behavior."
To the young people we say, "Educate yourself to the ways of the world and the lessons of history
Develop sensitivity toward the feelings of others. Thus, as you grow into adulthood and become
society's leaders, you will be more effective in the fight to preserve man's humanity toward man."
We must all remember that a great war was fought in which millions of innocent people lost their
lives as a result of one of'the greatest hate crimes in history. It is the martyrdom of those people
which should serve to encourage all of us in the fight against hate. We must all become activists
this battle as a living memorial to those who lost their lives. Let us not forget the millions who cart
before, who but for the absence of strong opposition at an early time, would have lived long, hapr
and productive lives.
264
ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®`�`
8101 Slater Avenue • Huntington Beach, CA 92647-6924 • (714) 847-6093 • FAX (714) 841-3375
.4' W solut:ian i n Sa� port of
()out Yfuman Dignity
WfERE,qs, barriers which diminish the rights of any citizen will ultimately
diminish the rights of all citizens;
ZtIlfEl , AS, discrimination in any form limits our rights to own, transfer
and use real property —rights for which our country was founded and
which we as the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Association of
REALTORSO work daily to preserve;
WyfEREAs, the National Association of REALTORSO, with which the
Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Association of REALTORSO is allied,
firmly supports the principle of fair housing for all, and believes that
access to housing must not be denied or restricted on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin;
�f-ER,EAs, the National Association of REALTORS® supports programs
to educate the public about the right to equal housing opportunities
and to educate the real estate industry and the public about fair
housing responsibilities;
uWERE,qs, the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Association of
REALTORSO believes that it becomes the responsibility of every
-Continued.-
JIM McLAUGHLIN, President • JAN SHOMAKER, First Vice President
113
W. ANNE PUGH, Second Vice President • JOE GNAS, Secretary/Treasurer
Directors: SARAH BELDING • RON BURKHART • BARRY BUSSIERE • JIM DONAHUE • SHERRY SMITH MANCINI 1 1
REALTOe JUDITHA. LEGAN, Executive Vice President
Page 2—Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Association of REALTORS®
A 9?§sofution in Support of
A (Policy Decfaration About Ifuman Dignity
American to make a personal commitment to ensuring that all persons
are afforded equal dignity;
BE iT TTLUFoW�E REsoL QLD that the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley
Association of REALTORS® salutes and supports the action of the
Huntington Beach City Council in adopting A Policy Declaration About
Human Dignity. The Association notes that human dignity shall include,
but not be limited to, the right to rent or purchase shelter of choice,
and that choice shall not be limited because of race, color, religion, sex,
handicap, familial status or national origin. The Association of
REALTORS" further notes that this and other rights should not be
limited because of existing or desired ethnic, racial or religious
proportions in any defined area.
Signed This .SiatFc Day ofYa
,1996
McLaughlin, President