2014-0092
Title
Proclamation: "The Art of RESPECT Week" and "Spread the Word to End the Word Day"
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities, however, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing, and exclusive effects of the words "retard" and "retarded"; and,
WHEREAS, it is time to address the slur "retard(ed)" and raise the consciousness of society to its hurtful effects; and,
WHEREAS, the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies International, and their supporters South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority, TARC, Assumption Arc, St. Charles Arc, St. Mary Arc, and Lafourche Committee on Disability Affairs to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word; and,
WHEREAS, the campaign created by youth and adults with and without developmental disabilities is intended to engage schools, organizations, and communities to rally and pledge their support at the event and at www.r-word.org; and,
WHEREAS, on Friday, April 11, 2014, the Spread the Word to End the Word awareness event will be devoted to educating and raising awareness of the positive impact individuals with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities have in our communities and why the use of the R-word is hurtful, even in casual conversation; and,
WHEREAS, the Arc of St. Charles invites students, schools, and communities to challenge everyone to think before they speak and replace the R-word with a different R word - Respect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 7-11, 2014 AS
"THE ART OF RESPECT WEEK"
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHAR...
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