HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2004-029wT1ATCOA,TC0 TTNTYCOTTNCTT. AGENDA BILL NO. 2004 - 186
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Ong. Dept: County Council
4/14/2004
4/202004
Council
Division Head.
Dept, Head:
Prosecutor'.
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT:
Resolution opposing to the USA Patriot Act.
ATTACHMENTS
SUTIMARYSTATEMENT:
Related County Contract 4. Should the Clerk schedule ahearing ?(Y/M Requested Date
Resolution opposing to the USA Patriot Act.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
2004- 186 412012004. Approved 4 -2, Crawford, Roy opposed Nelson
abstained, Res. 42004 -029
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
ZeS -* 2004 - 029
resolution opposing USA Patriot Act -2004
Sponsored By: Consent
Proposed By: Barbara Brenner
Introduction Date: 4/20/2004
RESOLUTION NO. 2004 -029
OPPOSING SECTIONS OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council supports the constitutional rights
of all its' citizens; and
WHEREAS, the county council supports most efforts to combat terrorism;
and
WHEREAS, the county council supports all lawful and constitutional efforts
to prevent and investigate terrorist or other criminal acts and to prosecute
their perpetrators; and
WHEREAS, the county council believes that sufficient constitutionally
acceptable tools existed prior to the passage of the "USA Patriot Act" or any
other restrictive acts, for law enforcement to accomplish its intended lawful
purpose; and
WHEREAS, the county council believes that any act, enactment, law,
legislation, or other means which dilutes, weakens, or denies the State
and /or Federal constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens is void from its
inception, is unenforceable in our jurisdiction, and should be quashed,
repealed, or found by a court of jurisdiction to be unconstitutional in part or
in full, as appropriate to protect the rights and freedom of the citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the county council believes that among those objectionable
provisions that warrant modification or repeal are measures that permit
weakening of fundamental protections and guarantees found in our Bill of
Rights including, but not limited to, provisions that; reduce judicial
supervision of telephone and Internet surveillance (section 216); expand the
government's power to conduct secret searches without warrants (section
213); grant power to the U. S. Secretary to State to designate domestic
groups, including political and religious groups, as "terrorist organizations"
(section 211); and grant the FBI the power to compel libraries and
bookstores to produce circulation or book purchase records of their patrons,
and forbidding disclosure that such records have been requested and
produced. (section 215)
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WHEREAS, the county council strongly encourages all citizens,
organizations, and governmental legislative bodies to study and understand
the State and Federal Constitutions and their history, and the Bill of Rights
and its history so that they can recognize and resist attempts to undermine
our constitutional republic and the system of government that has brought
our civilization so much success; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council values the right to privacy; and
WHEREAS, the county council believes it is the duty of every citizen to
protect and defend the State and Federal Constitutions from all enemies,
foreign and domestic, and to demonstrate respect for the rights that have
been paid for with the blood and sweat of the American people throughout
our history; and
WHEREAS, the County Council is concerned about unfunded mandates
that would place unfair financial burdens on the County budget to implement
or enforce the USA Patriot Act in Whatcom County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
respectfully opposes all sections of the "USA Patriot Act' that weaken the
freedoms and inalienable rights on which the United States of America was
founded.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council supports those
sections of the "USA Patriot Act' that enhance the capacity for law
enforcement agencies to protect our citizens against terrorist acts.
APPROVED this 20th day of April , 2004.
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WHAT,COM COUNTY COUNCIL
W ,C7COUNTY SHINGTON
i
Dan McShane, Council Chair