2008-26825 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2008-26825
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING PRESIDENT BUSH TO GRANT
TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS TO HAITIANS IN THE UNITED STATES;
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION
TO THE OFFICIALS AS STATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and has long
suffered through political instability, financial difficulties, violence, hurricanes and
earthquakes; and
WHEREAS, Haitian President Rene Preval has written to President Bush asking the
United States government to extend Temporary Protective Status ("TPS") to Haitians; and
WHEREAS, TPS suspends the deportation of undocumented Haitians already in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, TPS status also allows the granting of work permits and can last up to 18
months; and
WHEREAS, Haitian workers in the United States support relatives back home with
remittances to Haiti from the United States estimated to be more than $1 billion; and
WHEREAS, TPS would only apply to Haitians already in the United States and could
actually combat massive waves of migration by keeping working Haitians in this country so
they can continue to earn money to clothe, feed and house relatives in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, TPS has been granted to natives of several Central American and other
nations undergoing turmoil similar to Haiti's; and
WHEREAS, No city in America feels Haiti's pain as much as the Greater Miami area,
where our hardworking Haitian community has made a positive impact on our diverse city and
continues to support fellow countrymen in dire need in Haiti;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City of Miami Beach Commission urges President George W. Bush
and the members of the United States Congress to grant Temporary Protective Status to
Haitians in the United States.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of the Resolution to the
President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the Senators and Representatives
from Florida in the Congress of the United States and to the thirty five municipalities that
comprise the Miami-Dade League of Cities.
Section 4. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 25th day of June , 2008
ATTEST:
~~~~
Robert Parcher
CITY CLERK
Ma ti Herrera Bower
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & t.ANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
(~ 2 Q ~
Attorney D
m MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager
n
FROM: Matti H. Bower, Mayor
DATE: May 28, 2008
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING PRESIDENT BUSH TO
GRANT TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS TO HAITIANS IN THE
UNITED STATES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A
COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS AS STATED
HEREIN.
Please place the attached Resolution on the June 25, 2008 City Commission Meeting
agenda.
Agenda Item ~qC.
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