Proclamation for Human Rights Week 2012

Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed December 2-8, 2012, as Human Rights Week in Minnesota

Governor Dayton's Proclamation on Human Rights Week reads as follows:

STATE OF MINNESOTA

Proclamation

WHEREAS: Minnesota has a rich diversity of races, cultures, beliefs, and ways of life; and

WHEREAS: It is the public policy of the State to secure freedom from discrimination for all people, as discrimination threatens the rights and privileges of Minnesotans and endangers the institutions and foundations of all democracy; and

WHEREAS: The Minnesota Department of Human Rights strives to eliminate discrimination through education, conciliation, persuasion, and enforcement of the Minnesota Human Rights Act; and

WHEREAS: A disproportionate number of unemployed Minnesotans are minorities, women, people with disabilities, and others who have historically been denied opportunities; and

WHEREAS: Due to the changing demographics of Minnesota, it is more important than ever to increases education and employment opportunities, address disparities, and remove barriers of discrimination. Doing this will benefit all Minnesotans, and is essential to the state's economic viability; and

WHEREAS: State government plays a leading role in promoting human rights and respect, but cannot succeed without community-based partners; and

WHEREAS: The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is sponsoring a Human Rights Symposium on Monday, December 3, 2012, at the University of Minnesota's Continuing Education and Conference Center in Saint Paul for attorneys, employers, educators, and others concerned with human rights and social justice, to learn the latest updates and trends on the issues shaping society today.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the week of December 2-8, 2012 as:

HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK in the State of Minnesota

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