PRINTER'S NO. 281
No. 54 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY CRUZ, CALTAGIRONE, SANTONI, YOUNGBLOOD, HORSEY AND
THOMAS, FEBRUARY 12, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, FEBRUARY 12, 2003
A RESOLUTION
1 Condemning certain disparaging remarks which were made regarding
2 the use of bilingual election ballots in Berks County and
3 directing the State Government Committee of the House of
4 Representatives to hold public hearings.
5 WHEREAS, Federal law clearly requires the use of bilingual
6 election ballots under prescribed circumstances; and
7 WHEREAS, The use of bilingual ballots is essential in some
8 instances to aid minority groups in exercising their
9 constitutional right to vote; and
10 WHEREAS, Certain remarks disparaging to the Hispanic
11 community were made recently by a former Berks County
12 Commissioner at a public hearing the Reading City Council
13 conducted in connection with possible use of bilingual ballots
14 in Berks County; and
15 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes the right of
16 all people, including those in minority groups, to participate
17 in the election process; therefore be it
18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives condemn all such
1 disparaging remarks, whether in relation to the Hispanic
2 community or to any other minority group; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the State
4 Government Committee to immediately convene public hearings into
5 the Berks County incident and issue a report to the members of
6 the House of Representatives concerning the results of those
7 hearings as soon as possible.
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