DNC Executive Committee Passes Resolutions at Meeting in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At today's meeting in Richmond, VA, the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee passed the following resolutions. The meeting was presided over by DNC Chairman Tim Kaine.

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The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia.

Submitted by: James Zogby, At-Large/District of Columbia

Resolution Commending the Accomplishments of President Barack Obama in his First 100 Days in Office

WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave tax cuts to 95 percent of working families and will create or save millions of jobs nationwide by investing in the nation's infrastructure and rebuilding schools and government buildings with greener, more energy-efficient improvements; and

WHEREAS, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, signed and enacted by the President, provides greater assurances of pay equity for women, ensuring that women finally receive equal pay for equal work; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama signed into law legislation to enhance the State Children's Health Insurance Program and expand coverage to an additional 4 million children, bringing to 11 million the number of children covered under the program; and

WHEREAS, the President's reversal of a ban on federal funding for potentially life-saving stem cell research put responsible science and technological innovation ahead of ideology; and WHEREAS, President Obama's submitted budget blueprint that invests in America's future by making bold investments in healthcare, education and renewable energy was approved by the U.S. Congress; and

WHEREAS, President Obama's swift and assertive action to jump start the economy and reverse eight years of failed policies has restored the faith of millions of Americans in their federal government and reinstated the proposition that the nation's policies should serve the American people and not special interests and Washington insiders;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee commends President Barack Obama for the tremendous accomplishments achieved in the first 100 days of his term as President of the United States to get the country back on track; and that we pledge to work with the President to help make his bold agenda for change - reforming health care, achieving energy independence and creating green jobs and improving education - a reality.

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia.

Submitted by: James Roosevelt, At-Large/Massachusetts

Resolution Recognizing the Democratic National Committee Chairman and Staff for the Success of the 'Party of No' Campaign

WHEREAS, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democrats in Congress have supported President Obama in his efforts to continue and extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program to 11 million American Children; to provide greater assurances of pay equity for women; and, to create a recovery package that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and will create or save millions of jobs; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of U.S. House and Senate Republicans voted NO to these efforts; and

WHEREAS, every Republican in Congress voted against the President's budget which cuts the deficit in half over the next four years while making important investments in and reforms to health care, energy and education; and

WHEREAS, the Republican leadership has offered NO new solutions to jumpstart the economy, invest in the nation's infrastructure and create jobs, and

WHEREAS, the Republican Party has brought forward NO new faces to bring this country much needed change, and has instead relied on the same figures who have promoted partisanship and whose failed policies have lead to the worst economic recession since the Great Depression;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the DNC Executive Committee supports the continued efforts of the Democratic National Committee Chairman and Staff to communicate that the Democratic Party under President Obama's leadership is the party dedicated to uniting Americans, creating opportunity, and developing common sense solutions to the problems faced by Americans, and that the Republican Party continues to work against the change the nation voted for in November 2008 without offering serious alternatives to the failed policies of the past.

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia.

Submitted by: Alice Germond, DNC Secretary/West Virginia

Resolution Recognizing the Importance and the Recent Success of the Grassroots Efforts of Organizing for America, and Authorizing Continuation of the Project

WHEREAS, the unprecedented national grassroots effort to elect Barack Obama, now known as Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee, fostered a successful movement that brought together Americans of every race and creed from all corners of the country to work for change and a brighter future for every American; and

WHEREAS, Organizing for America held thousands of House Parties and conducted other significant activity to help pass President Obama's jobs and economic recovery package; and

WHEREAS, Organizing for America volunteers and supporters continued the spirit of that movement by organizing a nationwide pledge drive, holding conversations with their friends and neighbors and encouraging Americans to call their Members of Congress in support of the President's budget blueprint for America's future with its investments in health care, education and renewable energy; and

WHEREAS, Organizing for America has held more than 225 'Listening Tour' meetings with more than 8,600 attendees to continue the dialogue that began with Barack Obama's historic election and to promote community organization to move forward the President's vision for change; and

WHEREAS, Organizing for America is committed to working to make President Obama's vision of affordable health care for all, energy independence and a world class education system a reality; and

WHEREAS, the success of President Obama's policy initiatives, which Organizing for America is working in the furtherance thereof, is vital to the success of the Democratic Party and its candidates for elective office at all levels;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee recognizes the importance of the efforts of Organizing for America to engage the grassroots supporters who made possible the election of Barack Obama last November, that we recognize the importance of Organizing for America and its grassroots volunteers in promoting the President's policy initiatives to bring the change for which the country voted, and in recognition of those successful efforts, we authorize the continued operation of Organizing for America as a project within the Democratic National Committee and encourage its expansion to all 50 states.

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia.

Submitted by: Alice Germond, DNC Secretary/West Virginia

Resolution Recognizing the Success of Scott Murphy in the Special Election to Replace Kirsten Gillibrand in New York's 20th Congressional District

WHEREAS, Scott Murphy was elected in a special election from a New York congressional district in which Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 70,000 in a race which Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said would be a focal point for Republicans and where [Republicans] should be able to go in and be competitive and win; and

WHEREAS, the race to fill newly-appointed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's vacated congressional seat was a referendum on President Obama's plans for economic recovery including passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for which Scott Murphy expressed strong support while his Republican challenger said he would have voted no; and

WHEREAS, the election of Scott Murphy is further evidence that Americans continue to support the President and want him to succeed, and is a repudiation of the failed policies of the past that Republicans continue to tout while offering no new ideas and no new solutions to the serious problems facing America's working families;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee congratulates Scott Murphy on his successful campaign in the 20th District of New York and his election to the United States House of Representatives and commend him for embracing President Obama's vision for change and plans to turn our economy around, reform healthcare, invest in clean energy and improve education.

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia.

Submitted by: Frank Leone, Virginia

Resolution honoring the life and career of George Chancellor Rawlings, Jr.

WHEREAS, George Chancellor Rawlings, Jr., was born of a historic Virginia family and tradition on November 7, 1921, in Fredericksburg, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rawlings was educated at Randolph-Macon College (B.A. 1942) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1947); and

WHEREAS, he was an early and active leader for civil rights, voting rights, public education, worker's rights, and mental health care reform.

WHEREAS, Mr. Rawlings throughout his life worked to align Virginia's Democratic Party with national Democratic values, opposed the Byrd Organization, and lead the Party in support of Democratic presidential candidates in the 1960s; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rawlings served with distinction in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1964 to 1970; and

WHEREAS, he ran as the Democratic candidate for the United States House of Representatives, defeating House Rules Committee Chairman Howard W. "Judge" Smith in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 8th Congressional District in 1966, thereby eliminating a roadblock to civil rights and other progressive legislation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rawlings also carried the Democratic banner as the Party's nominee for the United State Senate against Harry F. Byrd, Jr. in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rawlings also served with distinction as a member of the Virginia Jaycees, serving as its president in 1954; as a substitute trial justice in Spotsylvania County from 1950 to 1963; as president of the Fredericksburg Mental Health Association; on the George Mason University Board of Visitors from 1992 to 1996; and

WHEREAS, he served proudly as a member of the Democratic National Committee, serving from 1972 to 1980; and

WHEREAS, he also served on the Democratic Party of Virginia State Central Committee, serving as Chairman of the Eighth District Democratic Committee from 1981 to 1993; and as an elector for the Eighth Congressional District in 1996; and

WHEREAS, he faced many challenges, including the deaths of his two sons from cystic fibrosis when they were in their 20s, and prejudices he faced as a gay man, but he always carried forward with commitment, courage, and a unique style; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rawlings died on April 22, 2009;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee Executive Committee honors the life and achievements of George Rawlings.

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia.

Submitted by: Alice Germond, DNC Secretary/West Virginia

and the California DNC Members

Resolution honoring the life and career of Jerome (Jerry) Waldie

WHEREAS, Jerome (Jerry) Waldie was born in Antioch, California, in 1925; and

WHEREAS, he served in the U.S. Army for three years before earning a B.A. degree and a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley; and

WHEREAS, he was elected to the California Assembly in 1958 and became Majority Leader of the Assembly in 1961; and

WHEREAS, in 1966 Mr. Waldie won a special election to fill a vacant seat in the U.S. Congress, where he was an early critic of the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, in 1974 he did not run for re-election and returned to his law practice in California; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Waldie also served on a number of commissions and boards, including the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, where he was a strong voice for farm workers' rights; and

WHEREAS, on April 3, 2009, Jerry Waldie passed away at his home in Placerville, California, at the age of 84;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Executive Committee honor Jerry Waldie for his dedication and service to his country, his state and to the Democratic Party.

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Executive Committee at its meeting on May 15, 2009, in Richmond, Virginia

Submitted by: Alice Germond, DNC Secretary/West Virginia and the California DNC Members

Resolution honoring the life and career of Richard J. O'Neill

WHEREAS, Richard (Dick) O'Neill was a prominent Orange County landowner and Democratic Party activist; and

WHEREAS, Mr. O'Neill contributed to many Democratic candidates and philanthropic causes, including South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and

WHEREAS, he enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served on troop transport ships during World War II; and

WHEREAS, after being discharged from the Navy, Mr. O'Neill attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he studied animal husbandry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. O'Neill organized many fundraisers for Democrats and served as a delegate to several Democratic National Conventions; and

WHEREAS, despite Orange County's long-standing reputation as a Republican stronghold, Mr. O'Neill worked diligently at the grassroots level, registering voters and walking precincts to get out the vote; and

WHEREAS, in 1964 he became a member of the California Democratic Party's (CDP) Orange County Central Committee and in 1974 he was elected Southern Chairman of the CDP; and

WHEREAS, Mr. O'Neill served as California Democratic Party Chairman from 1979 to 1981; and

WHEREAS, on April 4, 2009, Richard O'Neill passed away at the age of 85;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Executive Committee honor Richard O'Neill for his dedication and service to his country, his state and to the Democratic Party.

SOURCE Democratic National Committee