2009-27147 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2009-27147
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
MAYOR'S GAY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND URGING
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO
ADOPT AND ENACT "THE MILITARY READINESS ENHANCEMENT ACT"
(H.R.1283), WHICH ELIMINATES THE "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" POLICY
AND ADOPTS A POLICY OF NON DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF
SEXUAL ORIENTATION WITHIN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
WHEREAS, in 1993 Congress passed and the President signed the National
Defense Authorization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-160), that created the "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell" policy; and
WHEREAS, members of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community have served,
and continue to serve, honorably in the United States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, subsequent studies and surveys by various organizations (including,
without limitation the Government Accountability Office, the Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network, and Stanford University's "Stanford Report") have concluded that the
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which was initially intended to end anti-gay discrimination in
the Armed Forces, has instead introduced more divisiveness and has the actual effect of
institutionalizing anti-gay discrimination in the military; and
WHEREAS, the divisiveness introduced by the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy
weakens our military's readiness, unit cohesion and troop morale, and greatly detracts from
the esteem in which our military has been held by other nations, many of which allow gay,
lesbian, and bisexual individuals to openly serve in the military; and
WHEREAS, "The Military Readiness Enhancement Act" (H.R.1283) would replace
the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on May 12, 2009, following presentation and
extensive discussion, the Mayor's Gay Business Development Committee unanimously
passed a motion recommending that the Mayor and City Commission not only adopt this
Resolution, but that said Resolution be sponsored by the Mayor and the full City
Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby adopt the recommendation of the Mayor's Gay Business Development
Committee, and urge President Barack Obama and the United States Congress to adopt
and enact "The Military Readiness Enhancement Act" (H.R.1283), which eliminates the
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and adopts a policy of non discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation within the United States Armed Forces; further the City Clerk is hereby
directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to President Obama and to the United States
Congress.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 15th Day of July , 2009.
AYOR
ATTEST:
Matti Herrera Bower
`ti` ~ I.IJI..L' L
CITY CLERK
Robert Parcher
F:\atto\AGUR\RESOS-ORD\GBLT -Military Readiness Enhancement Act (5-I 5-09).doc
APPROVED AS TO
.FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
JOSE SMITH, CITY ATTORNEY COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Me ers of the City Commission
FFtoM: Jose Smith, City Attor y
cc: Jorge Gonzalez, City Ma ger
DATE: July 15, 2009
sua~ECT: A Resolution Urging President Barak Obama, the United States House of
Representatives, and the United States Senate to Overturn the Current "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" Policy, and Allow Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexuals to Serve Openly
in the Military by Enacting "The Military Readiness Enhancement Act" (H.R.1283)
At its regular meeting on May 12, 2009, the Mayor's Gay Business Development Ad Hoc
Committee, following a presentation and discussion, unanimously endorsed a motion
recommending that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the attached Resolution urging
President Obama and Congress to overturn the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and allow
gay, lesbian, and bisexuals to serve openly in the military by enacting "The Military Readiness
Enhancement Act" (H.R.1283).
We have attached the original written request to the Committee, by Messrs. Brian R. Fricke and
Matt Sampson, dated May 12, 2009. Other cities that have passed resolutions in support of The
Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R.1283) are New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta,
Portland, OR, San Francisco, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Tucson.
The GLBT Committee unanimously passed a motion that the Mayor and City consider the
passage of a similar resolution (which this office, as counsel to the GLBT Committee, has
drafted and has attached to this Memorandum), and further that the Resolution be sponsored by
the Mayor and the full City Commission.
RJA/ed
F:\atto\AGUR\RESOS-ORDUVIEMOS\GLBT -Military Readiness Enhancement Act (5-15-09).doc
Agenda Item R~' C
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safely to all who live, work, and play in our vibe
Date ~-~S 09
m MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION
TO: Jorge Gonzalez, City Attorney
FROM: Victor M. Diaz, Jr., Commissioner~l~
DATE: June 9, 2009
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Federal Bill Repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Policy
I would like to place a resolution on the July 15th agenda requesting that the Commission
support a bill pending in Congress, The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283). The
bill would revoke the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy of the United States military and prohibit
discrimination against members of the armed services on the basis of sexual orientation. The
resolution is also being sponsored by Mayor Bower.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation with this request.
VMD/sm
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agc I of l
Hernandez, Kerry
From: Beauchamp, Lillian
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 2:51 PM
To: 'laurie.flink@mail.house.gov';'lourdes.ruiz@mailhouse.gov'
Cc: Hernandez, Kerry
Subject: Transmittal Miami Beach Resolution No. 2009-27147
Attachments: 2009-27147 Reso.pdf
Dear Mr. President Barack Obama; Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz and Congresswoman Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen:
Attached above please Resolution No. 2009-27147, adopted by the Miami Beach City Commission on July 15,
2009, urging President Barack Obama and the United States Congress to adopt and enact "The Military
Readiness Enhancement Act" (H.R. 1283).
Respectfully submitted,
Lillian Beauchamp for Robert Parcher, City Clerk
MIA:~'tIB~ACFE
Lillim Beaucharh
(~li^2 QS S GCN:6 I V
CITY CLERK'S OFF ICE
17C0 Convention Contra Dfvc, Miomi Beoch, Fl 33139
Tcl: 305-G73-74711 Fax: 305-673-7254! ~w:w.m omVbc:achR,Oov
We atc conuni((ed to prviding excellent public servree and 5J(ety to aft wtra live. wink and Pldy in our vibrant. Lrop~;aC bistOri„ community
07!29/2009