HomeMy WebLinkAbout13410I RESOLUTION NO. 13,410
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3 A RESOLUTION TO REPEAL THE DECLARATION BY THE CITY
4 COUNCIL OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER
5 30, 1957, THAT SUPPORTED THE DECISION OF GOVERNOR ORVAL
6 E. FAUBUS TO ORDER INTO ACTIVE SERVICE THE ARKANSAS
7 NATIONAL GUARD TO PREVENT THE INTEGRATION OF LITTLE
8 ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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10 WHEREAS, on the evening of September 30, 1957, the City Council of the City of Little Rock,
11 Arkansas met in regular session and the majority adopted a DECLARATION (the "Declaration ") in
12 support of the decision by Governor Orval E. Faubus to order the Arkansas National Guard into active
13 service in order to prevent implementation of Little Rock School District's court- approved plan for
14 integration of Little Rock Central High School, and
15 WHEREAS, the Declaration criticized the United States District Court's decision to issue an
16 injunction restraining Governor Faubus from ordering the Arkansas National Guard to be deployed in the
17 area of Little Rock Central High School, and
18 WHEREAS, the Council stated the decision to order immediate integration of Central High was not
19 in the best interests of previously existing good relations between the races in the City of Little Rock and
20 the state of Arkansas.
21 WHEREAS, the Council stated that it deplored what it termed the "ill- advised judgment of President
22 Dwight D. Eisenhower in his effort to force integration in Central High" and suggested that the state of
23 Arkansas withhold state aid from any primary, elementary and state - supported college forced to integrate
24 by the federal government, and
25 WHEREAS, the passage of time and experience has brought better understanding of and
26 appreciation for the different races, creeds and religions of the citizens of Little Rock, Arkansas, who
27 now realize that the Declaration of September 30, 1957, was ill - considered and did not accord proper
28 respect for the courts or recognize the courage and determination of the black students who integrated
29 Central High School.; and
30 WHEREAS, the Declaration was made a part of the official record of the meeting of the Council.
31 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
32 OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
33 Section 1. The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, does hereby repeal the
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I Declaration of the City Council of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, dated September 30, 1957 which is
2 recorded in Book A6 at Pages 156 and 157 of the Book of Ordinances of the City of Little Rock.
3 Section 2. The City Manager is directed to present to the Board of Directors a plan to review the
4 ordinances, resolutions and declarations contained in the records of the City in order to identify any
5 which classify or reflect negatively upon citizens because of their race, religion, economic or ethnic
6 background. The plan should be accompanied by an estimate of the time needed to complete the review.
7 The review will also identify any and all proactive measures that have been taken to assure full
8 participation by all citizens of our City, and a recommendation from staff as to any corrective actions that
9 are deemed necessary.
10 Section 3. Severability. In the event any portion of this resolution is declared or adjudged to be
11 invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of this
12 resolution, which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or
13 unconstitutional, was not originally a part of the resolution.
14 Section 4. Repealer. All laws, ordinances, resolutions, or parts of the same, that are inconsistent with
15 the provisions of this resolution, are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
16 ADOPTED: December 6, 2011
17 ATTEST:
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20 Susa �agley, City Clerk
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22 APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
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24 2JWtt, U4.
25 Thomas M. Carpenter, Ci ttorney
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APPROVED:
Mark Stodola, Mayor
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