Whereas, we the residents of the City of Portland recognize that the diversity of our population is vital to the cultural and economic character of our City; and

Whereas, City Code states that the City of Portland is committed to improving the lives of all its residents, and strives to eliminate all forms of discrimination because such discrimination poses a threat to the health, safety and welfare of our community; and

Whereas, the City of Portland reaffirmed its commitment to human rights in March, 2008, by establishing a Human Rights Commission whose work is guided by the UN Declaration of Human Rights; and

Whereas, on December 10^th, 1948 the United Nations adopted the UN Declaration of Human Rights, a document that continues to be a source of inspiration for local and worldwide efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; and

Whereas, an essential element of the protection of human rights is the widespread knowledge and understanding among people of what their rights are and how they can be defended; and

Whereas, 2009 shall be celebrated in Portland and Multnomah County as the “Year of International Human Rights Learning” with the theme “Dignity and Justice for All;” and

Whereas, today we pay tribute to the extraordinary vision of the declaration’s authors and to the many human rights defenders around the world who have struggled to make their vision a reality;

Now, therefore, I, Tom Potter, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim December 10, 2008 to be

Human Rights Day

in Portland, and encourage all residents to observe this day.