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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
115 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
URGING THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO RATIFY THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
WHEREAS, the State recognizes the inherent dignity, worth, equality, and inalienable rights of all peoples regardless of ability; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities promotes, protects, and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Convention was negotiated from 2002 to 2006 and was adopted on December 13, 2006, by one hundred seventeen countries and the European Union; and
WHEREAS, President Obama signed the Convention in 2009, but the United States Senate failed to reach the necessary two-thirds margin required to approve the Convention in a vote on December 4, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990, establishing the United States as a world leader in the protection of the rights of disabled individuals; and
WHEREAS, ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the United States Senate will renew and strengthen America's global leadership role regarding the rights of persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, joining the Convention will provide the United States with another venue to provide leadership in positively impacting the lives of the fifty-four million Americans with disabilities and the one billion individuals with disabilities worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the State of Hawai‘i recognizes the importance of promoting and protecting human rights for all individuals; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the United States Senate is urged to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the United Nations Secretary General, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, President of the United States, President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, United States Secretary of State, and members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities