City of Pittsburgh - File #: 2015-1720

• File #: 2015-1720
• Version: 1
• Type: Proclamation
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 6/9/2015
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 6/9/2015
• Enactment date: 6/9/2015
• Enactment #: 373
• Effective date: 6/9/2015
• Title: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby convey our most sincere thanks and appreciation to all people who have worked so tirelessly and have sacrificed much - from generation to generation - to secure tolerance in our hearts and equality in the application of our laws. We honor those who labor to secure the civil rights of all citizens of the United States of America, no matter their sex, race, color, creed or sexual orientation; the best any citizen can do to serve the nation. If happiness is the end of government, then we celebrate the diversity of our community and happily encourage the pursuit of securing equal rights for all citizens of the United States of America; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh encourages all to celebrate your uniqueness and appreciate the uniqueness of others; to recognize that in our own special way we all contribute to the whole of our social fabric. No matter our circu...
• Sponsors: Darlene M. Harris
• Indexes: PROCLAMATION - MR. O'CONNOR

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/9/2015	1	City Council	Adopted	Pass

Body
WHEREAS, the People of Pittsburgh have a long tradition of fostering tolerance and securing the full enfranchisement of all citizens' rights, no matter their sex, race, color, creed, or sexual orientation; and,

WHEREAS, since the creation of our Constitution, we've had to struggle to secure the rights of those who have been unconstitutionally separated from them - from abolishing slavery, the women's right to vote, to today's quest for civil rights for people of color, women, those with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender citizens. Our society is not perfect but, the Constitution remains our guiding star to true equality; and,

WHEREAS, the People of Pittsburgh have and will continue to take action to enforce their collective and individual rights, as enumerated in the Constitution of the United States of America. We, the People, each and every citizen, declare ourselves to possess inherent and inalienable Constitutional rights - in our society we are all equal before the law without exception; and,

WHEREAS, John Adams once wrote: "The end of government is the happiness of man." The Council encourages displays of community pride, be it the St. Patrick's Day, Pittsburgh Pride Fest, Labor Day, Columbus Day, or African American Heritage Day parades or any number of community festivals that bring happiness and joy to all. It is right for the People of Pittsburgh, with good will and good hearts, to gather and celebrate, as a community, the many facets of who we are; and,

WHEREAS, we have reason for further celebration when, just a little over a year ago, on May 20, 2014, a U.S Federal District court ruled Pennsylvania's bar to same sex marriage unconstitutional; one more barrier to full civil rights for the LGBT community, our brothers and sisters, removed. The very first same sex marriage ceremonies in Pittsburgh took place in the City Council Chamber and were officiated by the Mayor. There is reason to take pride in the progress...