CITY OF SANTA CRUZ

CALIFORNIA

Mayor's Proclamation

WHEREAS, on December 18, 2001, following the horrifying attacks on the United States of America on September 11, the 107th Congress of the United States America chose to authorize the President to designate September 11 of each year as Patriot Day (Public Law 107-89); and

WHEREAS, on September 4, 2002, President George W. Bush proclaimed that September 11 should be observed as Patriot Day; and

WHEREAS, many citizens of the City of Santa Cruz, California, are concerned that the ethical values of patriotism and national interests may be contrary to higher ethical values of cosmopolitanism, peace, compassion, and understanding; and

WHEREAS, the instinctive parental wish for the health, safety, and happiness of one's children can be generalized to betterment of human society; and

WHEREAS, every person owes their life to a mother; and

WHEREAS, motherhood is a giving act that transcends commercialization; and

WHEREAS, the spirit of maternity is antithetical to mean-spirited notions of conquest and political and economic domination; and

WHEREAS, all of society benefits when we extend the maternal instinct to nourish, educate, and protect our young toward all peoples; and

WHEREAS, we as a city believe that respect for maternal values is essential for the preservation of a compassionate society and a sustainable environment, transcending divisive parochial loyalties.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Emily Reilly, Mayor of the city of Santa Cruz, do hereby proclaim September 10, 2003 as Matriot Day in the city of Santa Cruz, in commemoration of the compassion and humanity that are too often forgotten after geopolitical tragedies and encourage all citizens to join me in participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities.