Title
Proclamation declaring April 2008 "Fair Housing Month" in Allegheny County.
Body
WHEREAS, Allegheny County is proud to join the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968; and
WHEREAS, the 1968 Fair Housing Act guarantees the right of all Americans, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability, to live in the neighborhood of their choice and is one of the most important components of our national civil rights policy; and
WHEREAS, even though this non-discriminatory policy is the law of the land, its proper enforcement requires the continued cooperation of all levels of government, the real estate and homebuilding industries, and private citizens; and
WHEREAS, throughout Allegheny County, this spirit of cooperation is evident through the efforts of our federal, state, and local governments and with the support of countless community and non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, promoting equal housing opportunity is essential to our larger mission of promoting justice in all areas of life for all citizens and has a dramatic impact on school integration and the acceptance and understanding of ethnic and racial diversity; and
WHERAS, public housing agencies, government agencies, and area non-profits will submit 12” x 12” quilt squares to compile a Western Pennsylvania Fair Housing quilt, which will be unveiled at a special ceremony;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Allegheny County Council hereby proclaims April 2008 “Fair Housing Month” in Allegheny County. We join with the citizens of Allegheny County in supporting the creation and promotion of fair housing opportunities for all people.