BEFORE THE KANAWHA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION No. 2-2021
SUPPORT FOR THE JOHN R. LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT

[Adopted by the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee, June 8, 2021]

WHEREAS, the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee is the governing body of the Democratic Party in Kanawha County West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Kanawha County Democratic Party supports legislation to provide for the full restoration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and

WHEREAS, Before enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans in the South faced tremendous obstacles to voting, including poll taxes, literacy tests, and other bureaucratic restrictions; and

WHEREAS, Many also risked harassment, intimidation, economic reprisals, and physical violence when attempting to register or vote; and

WHEREAS, The fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States prohibit states from making and enforcing laws that abridge the privileges of citizens of the United States, and deny the right of citizens to vote on account of race or color; and

WHEREAS, Many Republican controlled legislatures are once again passing laws which infringe of the rights of African American voters, and

WHEREAS, American civil rights activists worked diligently towards passage of the Voting Rights Act, which was designed to enforce the rights guaranteed by the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments; and

WHEREAS, Congressional renewals of the Voting Rights Act have been signed by Democrat and Republican Presidents; and

WHEREAS, Following the death of civil rights icon, and Representative John R. Lewis, who played a pivotal role in bringing about the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and who spoke forcefully for its renewal before his death; and

WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, a measure formerly known as H.R. 4; and

WHEREAS, The United States Senate failed to act on the legislation; and

WHEREAS, Since the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder that Congress must update the Voting Rights Act, and

WHEREAS, Many states have enacted laws making it more difficult to register to vote or to cast a ballot; and

WHEREAS, Thousands have taken to the streets and have assembled across this nation to march and bring renewed awareness on the racism and inequality that is still present in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the time is now for the United States Senate to take action and pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee does hereby endorse and support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Kanawha County Democratic Party does hereby urge the Congress of the United States to enact the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to all Democratic members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, and the Charleston Gazette-Mail; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be published on the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee’s website and Facebook page.

The authorization for this resolution was passed by unanimous consent at a duly held meeting of the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee on the 8th day of June, 2021. Approved by the Rules, Bylaws, Policies and Resolutions Standing Committee on the 14th day of June, 2021, and subsequently approved by the Officers on the 15th day of June, 2021.

The resolution bears the seal of the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee and bears the signatures of Elaine A. Harris, Chair and Denise G. Tucker, Secretary.

BEFORE THE KANAWHA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION No. 1-2021
SUPPORT FOR THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT

[Adopted by the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee, June 8, 2021]

WHEREAS, the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee is the governing body of the Democratic Party in Kanawha County West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Kanawha County Democratic Party supports legislation to empower the people to fully exercise their right to vote and is committed to insuring citizens equal access and participation in our democracy; and

WHEREAS, the United States of America is the beacon of modern democratic values; and

WHEREAS, democracy is fragile and must be preserved through the rule of law in order to ensure all citizens have equal access and can equally participate in our Constitutionally enshrined democracy; and

WHEREAS, the Great State of West Virginia was born from the strife of a Civil War and declared its intention to remain a free and democratic state separate and apart from seditious Virginia ensuring that Mountaineers are always free; and

WHEREAS, the For the People Act is a bill pending in the United States Congress that would make it easier for all American citizens to vote in federal elections; and

WHEREAS, the For the People Act would end congressional gerrymandering, over-haul federal campaign finance law, increase safeguards against foreign election interference, strengthen government ethics; and

WHEREAS, the For the People Act would strengthen the all-American proposition that “All men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights”; and

WHEREAS, the For the People Act would bring the fundamental change needed to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States from the influence of unlimited corporate money and restore the power to the people; and

WHEREAS, the time is now for the United States Senate to take action and pass the For the People Act; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee does hereby endorse and support the For the People Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, the Kanawha County Democratic Party does hereby urge the Congress of the United States to enact the For the People Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee calls on all West Virginians to voice their support of the For the People Act as it aligns with true American values; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to all Democratic members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, and the Charleston Gazette-Mail; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be published on the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee’s website and Facebook page.

The authorization for this resolution was passed by unanimous consent at a duly held meeting of the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee on the 8th day of June, 2021. Approved by the Rules, Bylaws, Policies and Resolutions Standing Committee on the 14th day of June, 2021, and subsequently approved by the Officers on the 15th day of June, 2021.

The resolution bears the seal of the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee and bears the signatures of Elaine A. Harris, Chair and Denise G. Tucker, Secretary.