Proclamation promoting diversity & tolerance: Cedar Rapids, IA

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In 1999, some citizens in Cedar Rapids, IA, were concerned about:

	The lack of value given to diversity within the city,
	The need for tolerance, and
	The need to promote equal rights for all.

Mayor Lee Clancey replied by issuing the following proclamation.

Editor's note: Imagine the effect that a similar proclamation would have if issued by every mayor or reeve in North America.

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City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Proclamation:

	Whereas, Cedar Rapids is a community of caring people who have created a healthy, safe and secure place for people of all geographic, ethnic, economic, religious, and lifestyle backgrounds to live, work, raise their children and age with dignity; and
	Whereas, hate violence has become a daily occurrence and is increasing at epidemic rates across the nation; and
	Whereas, fundamentally, tolerance is a personal decision that comes from an attitude that is learnable and embraceable - a belief that every person in earth is a treasure, vital to the health and prosperity of all; and
	Whereas, Cedar Rapids is a community promoting tolerance and infusion while focusing on how we interact with our families, our neighbors and coworkers by respecting them and ourselves; and
	Whereas, we, the people of Cedar Rapids, in keeping with the principle of equal civil rights for all, unequivocally oppose any manifestation of hatred and prejudice towards any group or individual in our community;

Now, therefore, I, Lee Clancey, mayor of the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, so hereby proclaim January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000, as "A Year of Diversity Appreciation and Community Tolerance" in Cedar Rapids, and we resolve to stand together with all people of good faith in our community and we have the power to change our attitude, to overcome our ignorance and fears, and to influence our children, our peers and our neighborhoods. It begins with "each one of us."

January 1, 2000
Lee R. Clancey, Mayor

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Copyright � 2001 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2002-JAN-
Latest update: 2002-JAN-
Author: B.A. Robinson

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