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(These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Introduction of First Piedmont Laureate <br /> The Board recognized the first Piedmont Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, who read a <br /> poem to welcome the new members of the Board. <br /> Martha Shannon introduced Jaki Shelton Green. This is the first program co-sponsored <br /> by the Orange County Arts Commission, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, the Durham Arts <br /> Council, and United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. She thanked the Board of <br /> County Commissioners for allocating the funds for this program. The Piedmont Laureate <br /> program is a good example of how a small investment can produce a huge dividend for the <br /> community. Throughout the year, Jaki Shelton Green will present public readings and <br /> workshops in Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties to expand the appreciation of literature in <br /> the Triangle area. She has received many awards for her literature and her literature has <br /> appeared in many publications. <br /> Jaki Shelton Green read a poem for the Board of County Commissioners —The Girl <br /> Who Lost Her Head. <br /> Chair Foushee said that the County Commissioners are proud that Jaki Shelton Green <br /> is a native of Orange County. <br /> b. Proclamation for Human Relations Commission's Celebration of Bill of Rights <br /> Day, Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week <br /> The Board considered a proclamation recognizing Bill of Rights Day, Human Rights <br /> Day, and Human Rights Week and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br /> Human Rights and Relations Director Shoshannah Smith introduced the proclamation. <br /> Commissioner Gordon read the proclamation. <br /> A motion was made by Pam Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Yuhasz to <br /> approve a proclamation recognizing Bill of Rights Day, Human Rights Day, and Human Rights <br /> Week and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> HUMAN RIGHTS PROCLAMATION <br /> WHEREAS, on December 10, 1948, the member States of the United Nations signed the <br /> Universal Declaration of Human Rights and countries of different political, economic <br /> and social systems agreeing on the fundamental rights that all people share solely on <br /> the basis of their common humanity; and <br /> WHEREAS, Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week were adopted by the United Nations <br /> in connection with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights Day was first declared in 1941 by President Franklin Delano <br /> Roosevelt to commemorate the 1791 Ratification of the Bill of Rights; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights guarantees, among other basic liberties, freedom of speech and <br /> of the press as well as freedom of religion and association; and <br />