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February 17, 2005 - Black History Month

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the celebration of BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN NEBRASKA gives tribute to all its inhabitants who are Black.  Some historians say the first Black person arrived in Nebraska in 1539 as a slave whose name we will not know, and

WHEREAS, many more Black people arrived in Nebraska during the "Great Exodus" beginning around 1870, and created homes for themselves and their descendents in Hastings, Crawford, Grand Island, Valentine, Lincoln, and Omaha, and other places in Nebraska too numerous to name, and fertilized this state with their knowledge, culture, heritage, ambition, productivity and dreams; and

WHEREAS, we will recognize the tenacity and courage of Black people who continue to contribute to the political, social, academic, and economic fibers forming and shaping the quilt of Nebraska's "Good Life"; and,

WHEREAS, the celebration of BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN NEBRASKA will recognize that the barriers of slavery, segregation, and illegal employment, housing, and public accommodation discrimination will lose presence as efforts to eliminate discrimination are strengthened and hope continues to abound.

NOW, THEREFORE be it resolved on this 17th day of February, 2005, the Commissioners and Staff of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, in recognition of our forbearers, are determined to continue the great work of eliminating discrimination in Nebraska during BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN NEBRASKA.

Signed February Seventeenth in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Five.

Rita Griess
Arnold C. Nesbitt
Bette Trumble
Kristin E. Yates
Rev. William M. Williams Jr.
J. L. Spray
Lend S. Frison

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April 15, 2004 - Fair Housing Month

RESOLUTION

Whereas, The Civil Rights Act of 1866 guaranteed all citizens the same right in every State and Territory in the United States to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real property, and prohibit discriminatory denials of these rights;

Whereas, Title VII of the Civil Rights of Act of 1968 of the federal Fair Housing Act bans discrimination in housing transactions;

Whereas, The Nebraska Fair Housing Act states it is the policy of the State of Nebraska that there shall be no discrimination in the acquisition, ownership, possession, or enjoyment of housing throughout the State of Nebraska in accordance with Article I, Section 25, of the Constitution of Nebraska, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, or sex;

Whereas, The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission will continue its mission to seek out and eliminate discriminatory housing practices in all areas of the state, issue recommendations and reports on housing issues, engage in public education and outreach on all housing issues, and uphold its duties to the people living in the State of Nebraska.

Now, Therefore, Be it resolved on this 17th Day of April 2004, we have this goal: to continue to work in the communities and make decisions to oppose any housing activity that is contrary to our housing laws, as our duties as Commissioners and staff of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission.

Rita Griess, Chairperson
Arnold C. Nesbitt
Bette Trumble
Kristin E. Yates
Rev. William M. Williams Jr.
J. L. Spray
Lend S. Frison