SENATE RESOLUTION

                                                    1994-8703

By Senators Pelz, Gaspard, Moyer, McAuliffe, Prentice, Moore, Sheldon, Snyder, Rinehart, Bauer, Quigley, Spanel, Niemi, Talmadge, Fraser, Vognild, A. Smith, Williams, Franklin, Drew, Wojahn, Prince, Skratek, Bluechel, Winsley and Sutherland

         WHEREAS, A home to live in, employment, and ordinary, everyday business transactions are not special rights but are among the basic and fundamental human rights of every person; and

         WHEREAS, The mosaic of our society as exemplified by the wide diversity of Washingtonians, does not harm us, and, in fact, makes us stronger; and

         WHEREAS, The Constitution of the United States, which we are sworn to uphold, seeks to "secure the blessings of liberty to us and our posterity;" and

         WHEREAS, The Constitution of the State of Washington, which we are also sworn to uphold, guarantees "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law," and that "No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs or his home invaded without the authority of law;" and

         WHEREAS, Our state and our Nation are built upon the principles of tolerance and forbearance; and

         WHEREAS, We should strive to deal with others based on the content of their character, not stereotypes and prejudices; and

         WHEREAS, Many local governments and private employers in Washington have adopted policies prohibiting discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation; and

         WHEREAS, The Measure 9 campaign in Oregon tore apart the social fabric of our neighbor state to the south, creating an environment we do not want to duplicate; and

         WHEREAS, Efforts to bring a similar movement to Washington may foster acts of prejudice, fear, discrimination, and injustice; and

         WHEREAS, In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere;"

         NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Washington go on record in opposition to any effort to divide our communities and in opposition to acts of prejudice and discrimination; and

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Washington stands firmly for basic dignity and fundamental human rights for all people, and strongly against those acts of prejudice and discrimination that undermine those rights.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1994-8703,

adopted by the Senate March 10, 1994.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate