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REGULAR MEETING January 14, 2019
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden continued, We are considering this an open source document as
<br /> well. As it goes live and is signed by the Mayor, other Boards, Commissions and elected bodies
<br /> whether it is our neighbors in Mishawaka or the County Council, take this document and run with
<br /> it. Take this document as an individual on behalf of your neighbor, your neighborhood and City.
<br /> Take this document to read it and be familiar with it. Then the last piece I want to emphasize is
<br /> that if citizens regret not being available tonight or were not even aware of tonight's resolution,
<br /> that can happen over the holidays and our busy lives, but this is only the beginning. We are really
<br /> only in the early phase of the legislative process. They just convened, for those who aren't aware.
<br /> A key date is February 26th as that is the crossover. So, anything that originates in the Senate has
<br /> to go to the House and anything that originates in the House goes to the Senate and they work out
<br /> the compromise in between. We have about a month is what I want to frame this as kind of a go-
<br /> time for anyone who is tracking and following this issue and wants to passionately advocate for it.
<br /> I hope by what is known as sine die,the very last day of a legislative session is April 29th,we have
<br /> something to truly celebrate by the time that hits and this legislation comes around. So, I told you
<br /> I wouldn't get in the way of it, but I thought there were some important points to hit and we have
<br /> several individuals tonight who will speak to this. Thank you.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde, 1029 Clermont Drive, South Bend, IN,served as a presenter for this
<br /> bill. Councilmember John Voorde stated, A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of
<br /> South Bend, Indiana, calling for the enactment of legislation addressing hate crimes in the State of
<br /> Indiana. Whereas, the City of South Bend is proud of, and celebrates, the diversity of its citizens;
<br /> and it is a priority for our community to welcome and promote diversity among its citizens,visitors,
<br /> and businesses; and, Whereas, the South Bend Common Council desires to publicly declare its
<br /> condemnation of discrimination in any form and to encourage people of varying and diverse
<br /> backgrounds to call South Bend in St.Joseph County within the broader South Bend Elkhart region
<br /> in the State of Indiana their home; and, Whereas, by definition, hate crimes cause damage more
<br /> extensive than the suffering of the specific victim, because they serve to terrorize entire groups of
<br /> people. Therefore, the terror associated with hatefully motivated speech, actions, and/or crimes
<br /> targeting groups based on characteristics that include, but are not limited to, religion, national
<br /> origin or ancestry, citizenship status, color, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
<br /> disability, medical condition, status as a public safety official or service in the armed forces of the
<br /> United States, or association with any recognizable group or affiliation, or similar factors is such
<br /> that these crimes should be addressed specifically in Indiana's criminal code; and, Whereas, forty-
<br /> five (45) states and the District of Columbia have enacted hate crime legislation, and Indiana is
<br /> one(1)of only five(5)states in the United States that does not have such legislation;and,Whereas,
<br /> being one(1) of only five (5) states without such legislation diminishes the reputation of the State
<br /> of Indiana in general, along with the reputations of each of its political subdivisions, damaging the
<br /> ability to attract and retain the best individuals,businesses, and workforce to reside in and enhance
<br /> our state.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated,And,Whereas, state-wide legislation addressing hate crimes
<br /> will promote a welcoming and safe environment for every resident and visitor of our state,allowing
<br /> Indiana to signal its commitment to diversity and freedom through the advanced protections and
<br /> increased penalties associated with comprehensive hate crime legislation;and,Whereas,the South
<br /> Bend Common Council maintains that the future success of South Bend and its surrounding cities
<br /> and towns depends upon promoting a secure, safe, and diverse environment for all residents and
<br /> visitors, free of the fear associated with hatefully motivated speech, actions, and/or crimes; and,
<br /> Whereas, the South Bend Common Council desires to join with the legislative bodies of other
<br /> cities and towns who have already passed, or will soon pass, resolutions in support of enacting
<br /> state-wide legislation addressing hate crimes; and wishes to align with the growing number of over
<br /> seven-hundred (700) plus businesses, not-for-profits, educational institutions, and faith
<br /> communities across Indiana calling for this needed change; and, Whereas; the South Bend
<br /> Common Council agrees with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb who has stated that "No law can
<br /> stop evil,but we should be clear that our state stands with the victims, and their voices will not be
<br /> silenced. . . it is my intent that we get something done this next legislative session, so Indiana can
<br /> be one (1) of forty-six (46) states with hate crimes legislation- and not one (1) of five (5) without
<br /> it"; and, Whereas, the purpose of this Resolution is to express the policy and/or intent of the
<br /> Common Council.
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