Item 4-e - Resolution Repealing the 1959 Designation of US Highway 15 as the Jefferson Davis National Highway

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2 R ES-2018-060 A RESOLUTION REPEALING THE JUNE 1, 1959 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION DESIGNATING U.S. ROUTE 15 IN ORANGE COUNTY AS THE JEFFERSON DAVIS NATIONAL HIGHWAY WHEREAS, in the mid-twentieth century a private group began a movement to designate a coast to coast national highway as the Jefferson Davis Highway, Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway, or Jefferson Davis National Highway; and WHEREAS, this group approached local and state governments across the nation for support in the form of local roadway dedications; and WHEREAS, on June 1, 1959, pursuant to one such request, the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted to support a resolution designating that section of U.S. Route 15 situated in Orange County as the "Jefferson Davis National Highway"; and WHEREAS, the federal government never designated or adopted a Jefferson Davis Highway, Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway, or Jefferson Davis National Highway; and WHEREAS, because there is no official "Jefferson Davis National Highway" the 1959 resolution has no legal or practical effect and serves only to recognize Jefferson Davis; and WHEREAS, Jefferson Davis, though a United States Senator, was also the President of the Confederacy, a slave owner, and defender of the institution of slavery, and later a defender of white supremacy; and WHEREAS, the institution of slavery and its legacy of white supremacy must not be glorified by the recognition of the individuals who defend them; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners is committed to dismantling the legacy of racism and inequality that continues to stain our community; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby REPEALS the June 1, 1959 resolution designating the section of U.S. Route 15 in Orange County as the Jefferson Davis National Highway. This the 16th day of October, 2018.