Diversity Welcome Statement

On May 1, 2017, the Durham Town Council adopted Resolution #2017-19 affirming the Town of Durham as a welcoming community that embraces all people and their inherent inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; a premise fundamental to our nation.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the Town of Durham, as a diverse community within New Hampshire’s seacoast region, and host to the University of New Hampshire, embraces residents and visitors of various cultural and ethnic identities from across the country and around the world; and 

WHEREAS, the Town Council hereby declares that the policy of the Town of Durham is that all people are valued and should be accorded dignity and respect; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council values equity and diversity, and acknowledges and affirms that the Town’s greatest strength is realized as a multicultural and inclusive community in which discrimination of any form is not tolerated; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council acknowledges that while many legislation reforms, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, have been adopted banning discrimination because of a person's color, race, national origin, religion, or sex, more needs to be accomplished on the local and interpersonal level to eliminate all vestiges of discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Durham therefore believes that it is essential to denounce all forms of discrimination by adopting inclusive policies; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council established a Human Rights Commission in 2013, with the purpose to help address and eliminate discrimination of any type and in any form that might be exposed in our community; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council understands that the denial or deprivation of any aspect of the fundamental Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the Durham community; and

WHEREAS, although throughout history there has always been varying levels of discrimination against certain populations, it is imperative to remain vigilant in protecting the rights of all individuals,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Durham Town Council, the governing and legislative body of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire does hereby adopt Resolution #2017-19 affirming the community's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of May, 2017 by a majority vote of the Durham Town Council with Eight (8)    affirmative votes, One (1) negative votes, and Zero (0) abstentions.  

Signed:        Katherine Marple, Chair
                    Durham Town Council

ATTEST:     Lorrie Pitt, Town Clerk-Tax Collector