Cook County, IL Resolution Supporting Ratification by the U.S. of CEDAW

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 3/24/04
Source File: http://www.cookctyclerk.com/html/032304resdoc.htm
Text:
04-R-117 RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 1979 and became an international treaty as of September 3, 1981, and by 2003, well over three-fourths of the world, 174 nations, have agreed to be bound by CEDAW’s provisions; and
WHEREAS, the United States supports and has a position of leadership in the United Nations, and was an active participant in the drafting and is a signatory to CEDAW; and
WHEREAS, as evidenced by the Cook County Board of Commissioners adoption of a similar Resolution on February 15, 2000, the spirit of CEDAW is rooted in the goals of Cook County, the United States and the United Nations to affirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women everywhere; and
WHEREAS, CEDAW provides a comprehensive framework for challenging the various forces that have created and sustained discrimination based on sex against half the world’s population; the nations in support of CEDAW have agreed to follow CEDAW’s prescriptions; and
WHEREAS, although women have made major gains in the struggle for equality in all fields, much more needs to be accomplished to fully eradicate discrimination based on sex and to achieve one of the most basic human rights, equality; and
WHEREAS, President George W. Bush and the Secretary of State have placed CEDAW in Category III of priority in order to accelerate the Treaty’s passage through the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the full U.S. Senate with the goal of the United States ratification; and
WHEREAS, county government has an appropriate and legitimate role in affirming the importance of international law in communities as universal norms and to serve as guides for public policy; and
WHEREAS, Cook County, with its ethnic and racial diversity, and its outstanding cultural and educational institutions, is working to eliminate discrimination based on sex.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that the County of Cook urges the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to again pass CEDAW favorably out of Committee, and send it to the Senate floor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Cook urges the United States Senate to vote favorably to ratify CEDAW so that its provisions will define the goal and the standard of conduct for all in promoting equality for women in all aspects of their lives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this Resolution, along with a letter documenting the County of Cook’s ongoing compliance with the principles of CEDAW, be delivered to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Chair and the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect on the date of its passage and approval.
Category:County Governments
Category:Illinois
Category:Resolutions
Category:Women and Gender