ADOPTED - MAY 11, 2004

Agenda Item No. 4

Introduced by the County Services Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION OBSERVING THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROWN v. TOPEKA, KANSAS, BOARD OF EDUCATION LANDMARK U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION

RESOLUTION #04-141

WHEREAS, on May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision in the Brown v. Topeka, Kansas Board of Education case that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"; and

WHEREAS, as a result the legal basis for segregation in Kansas and 20 other states with segregated classrooms was denied, forever changing race relations in the United States; and

WHEREAS, this landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court that desegregated public schools throughout the country and launched decades of policy changes intended to improve equitable access to education resources; and

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court's decision made an historic impact on the civil rights struggle in America by striking down laws and policies that were motivated by prejudice and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, May 17, 2004, will mark the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Topeka, Kansas, Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, as the 50th anniversary of this landmark decision approaches, it is appropriate that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners recognize the importance of, and demonstrate our commitment to, the principles embodied in this historic decision; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners recognize that fostering diversity in our school communities enhances students' individual learning and the quality of life in Ingham County.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby observes May 17, 2004 as the 50^th Anniversary of Brown v. Topeka, Kansas, Board of Education and encourages citizens to take part in activities in the community that heighten awareness of this critical milestone in our nation.

COUNTY SERVICES: Yeas: Swope, Thomas, De Leon, Hertel

Nays: None Absent: Severino, Nevin Approved 5/4/04