"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

—Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence

North Pole City Council Resolution

Submitted by: Mayor Jacobson
Introduced for approval: April 21, 2003

CITY OF NORTH POLE
RESOLUTION 03-06

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH POLE AFFIRMING CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES; REQUESTING IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF FEDERAL MEASURES THAT INFRINGE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES

WHEREAS, the preservation of civil rights and liberties as guarded by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights is essential to the well-being of our democratic society; and

WHEREAS, federal, state and local governments should protect the public from terrorist attacks such as those that occurred on September 11,2001 and should do so in a deliberate fashion to ensure that any new securities measures will enhance public safety without impairing constitutional rights or infringing on civil liberties; and

WHEREAS, in light of the horrific act of terrorism against the U.S. citizens and numerous other nationalities on September 11,2001, it was a natural response on the part of the government to take actions to prevent such acts of terrorism in the future; and

WHEREAS, there is growing concern across the nation that language in the U.S. Patriot Act has expanded the government's power to use eavesdropping, surveillance, access to financial and computer records and other tools to track terrorist suspects in ways that were not fully understood by the public or elected officials at the time of its enactment; and

WHEREAS, the intent of this resolution is not to undermine the efforts of our elected officials to protect its citizens, nor to criticize the valiant men and women in law enforcement or military service.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the North Pole City Council requests members of the U.S. Congress to immediately re-examine the U.S. Patriot Act that it passed in October 2001, amending any portion of it that infringes upon the civil rights of U.S. citizens. This sweeping legislation required intense public review and comment before it was passed and enacted.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Pole City Council urges Congress not to re-authorize any provision in the U.S. Patriot Act or enact the proposed U.S. Patriot Act 2 without thorough public review of these Acts.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY A DULY CONSTITUTED QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NORTH POLE, ALASKA THIS 21st DAY OF APRIL, 2003.

JEFFERY JAMES JACOBSON,

KATHRYN WEBER, City Clerk