Arcata Harvey Milk Day 2011 Proclamation

Text of proclamation
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City of Arcata proclamation designating May 22, 2011 Harvey Milk Day
WHEREAS, Harvey Milk exhibited exceptional courage and integrity and was a tireless advocate of fairness for all Americans, both as a candidate for office and as a San Francisco Supervisor; and

WHEREAS, Harvey Milk's life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement. He was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in a major city, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977-1978; and

WHEREAS, while in office, Harvey Milk worked to pass a gay rights ordinance and defeat Proposition 6, commonly known as the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools. He encouraged LGBT people to be visible in society and believed coming out was the only way they could achieve true equality; and

WHEREAS, Harvey Milk's agenda extended beyond gay rights to encompass support for labor, tenants, small business owners, seniors and the many ethnic groups in his district; and

WHEREAS, Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were tragically assassinated in 1978 by Dan White, a former colleague on the Board of Supervisors whose politics often clashed with theirs. The assassinations sparked a march of an estimated 30,000 people through the streets of San Francisco; and

WHEREAS, Harvey Milk’s legacy as a civil rights leader is still felt today. TIME Magazine named him one of the most influential people of the 20th century. In August 2009 President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Harvey Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Later that year California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger designated May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day" statewide and inducted Milk into the California Hall of Fame.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City Council of the City of Arcata hereby designates May 22, 2011 as HARVEY MILK DAY in Arcata. The Council encourages the people of Arcata to observe this occasion by educating themselves, their friends and family members about Harvey Milk’s life and legacy.

Dated: May 18, 2011

￼Susan Ornelas Mayor
 * City of Arcata|May 18, 2011}}