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.