2014-22 RESOLUTION NO. 2014-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA IN S PPORT OF BI-
PARTISAN LEGISLATION TO MODERN E THE VOTING
RIGHTS ACT; AUTHORIZING THE CI MANAGER TO
DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE
AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the right to vote is a fundamental right of United States citizens and
is the most important of civic rights and obligations; and
WHEREAS, the election of representatives who voice the concerns of the public
ensures a responsive and accountable government; and
WHEREAS, the failure of eligible Americans to vote jeopardizes the strength and
vitality of our country's democracy; and
WHEREAS, the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ensures
that the right of citizens of the United States to vote is not denied on account of race or
color, and grants Congress the authority to protect the right to vote; and
WHEREAS, Congress has exercised this authority by passing the Voting Rights
Act of 1965, landmark legislation that seeks to abolish discriminatory procedures and
barriers that disenfranchise minority voters; and
WHEREAS, Congress has, time and again, reaffirmed the need for protection
against abuses that might curtail the right to vote by renewing the Voting Rights Act of
1965; and
WHEREAS, the Voting Rights Act's highly effective preclearance procedures
have been suspended as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v.
Holder; and
Resolution No. 2014-22
Page 2
WHEREAS, the Shelby County decision has greatly diminished the ability of the
federal government to protect equal access to the ballot box; and
WHEREAS, voter discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and language minority
status is not a thing of the past but a current reality and continues to persist in the State
of Florida today.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission hereby supports bi-partisan legislation to
modernize the Voting Rights Act and urges Congress to enact legislation in order to
preserve integrity, equality and fairness in elections in 2014 and beyond.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to do all things necessary
and expedient in order to carry out the aims of this Resolution.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
adoption.
The foregoing resolution was offered by Vice Mayor Joel, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stern, and upon being put to a
vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Enbar Cohen yes
Commissioner Teri Holzberg yes
Commissioner Michael Stern yes
Commissioner Howard Weinberg yes
Commissioner Luz Urbaez Weinberg absent
Vice Mayor Billy Joel yes
Mayor Susan Gottlieb yes
Resolution No. 2014-22
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of May, 2014.
-SAN GOTTLIEB, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
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CITY ATTORNEY