HomeMy WebLinkAbout028993 RES - 03/08/2011RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION ADOPTING A CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CIVILITY
ACCORD
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2011 a shooting tragedy occurred in Tucson, Arizona
which resulted in the violent deaths of six people including a federal judge and a nine
year old girl and the wounding of thirteen others including Congresswoman Gabrielle
Giffords; and
WHEREAS, the pain inflicted on the victims of this tragedy, their families and the
entire Tucson community is shared by the people throughout this nation including the
people of Corpus Christi, Texas; and
WHEREAS, although the exact motive behind this tragedy remains
undetermined, the acts occurred in an atmosphere in which public discourse is often
confrontational, angry and lacking in civility; and
WHEREAS, we as a community should use this tragedy as a point of reflection
and to recommit ourselves to building a more civil society in which each person is
respected and in which public and political discourse is aimed at the betterment of our
community and our country and not toward the destruction of those with whom we
disagree; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of Corpus Christi, as the elected leaders
of the community, believe that any restoration of civility must begin with the people;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CORPUS
CHRISTI, TEXAS THAT:
This Civility Accord of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas is hereby ADOPTED; and
In order to begin the process of restoring civility to our community and to our nation,
on behalf of the people of Corpus Christi, we pledge our commitment to the following
principles of civility and encourage all citizens to practice these principles in their daily
lives:
• Respect the right of all people to hold different opinions.
• Avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate, de -legitimatize or question the patriotism of
those whose opinions are different from ours.
• Strive to understand differing perspectives.
• Choose words carefully
028993
INDEXED
• Speak truthfully without accusation and avoid distortion.
• Speak out against violence, prejudice and incivility in all their forms, whenever
and wherever they occur.
• Exhibit and encourage, at all times, those qualities that are emblematic of a civil
society: gratitude, humility, openness, passion for service to others, propriety,
kindness, caring, faith, sense of duty and commitment to doing what is right.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all citizens of Corpus Christi are urged to do
everything within their means to build a more just and civil society.
ATTEST:
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
APPROVED:
day of -February, 2011.
Carlos Valdez
City Attorney
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Joe Ad e
Mayor
Corpus Christi, Texas
�f/f
�
f 1' 4 ,2010
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Joe Adame
Chris N. Adler
Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Kevin Kieschnick
Priscilla G. Leal
John E. Marez
Nelda Martinez
Mark Scott
Linda Strong
/e0) -6th
028993