Referred to: The Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee (Chairman

Roberts and Legislators Belfiglio, Donaldson, R. Parete and Rodriguez)

Legislator Jennifer Schwartz Berky and Legislators Allen, Bartels, Delaune,

Donaldson, Greene, Heppner, Loughran, J. Parete and Rodriguez offer the following:

WHEREAS the United States was founded by immigrants, many fleeing

religious persecution, who enshrined freedom of religion as one of our nation’s

fundamental legal and ethical principles; and

 WHEREAS we are deeply saddened and outraged at the recent escalation of

hateful rhetoric against immigrants, all people of color, ethnicity, race, religion,

gender, gender identification, and political views; and

 WHEREAS we, as elected representatives of the people, have a special

responsibility not to stay silent in the face of hate violence and discrimination against

any of our constituents or countrymen; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Ulster County Legislature condemns all hateful speech and

violent action directed at any individual or group based on ethnicity, race, religion,

gender, gender identification, or political views; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Ulster County Legislature commits to pursuing a policy

agenda that affirms civil and human rights, and ensures that those targeted on the

basis of ethnicity, race, religion, gender, gender identification, political views or

immigration status can turn to government without fear of recrimination, and, be it

further

RESOLVED, the Ulster County Legislature reaffirms the value of a pluralistic

society, the beauty of a culture composed of multiple cultures, and the inalienable

right of every person to live and practice their faith without fear,

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: NOES:

Postponed in Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on October 18,

2016 

Amendments Adopted in Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on

November 21, 2016

Postponed in Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on November 22,

2016

Amendment to strike words “and/or political views” throughout the Resolution

Adopted in Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on December 19,

2016

Defeated in Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on December 19,

2016

Petition to Discharge successfully executed.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE