Agenda Item 14
February 7, 2012
Public Hearing
MEMORANDUM
February 3,2012
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
County Council
Robert H. Drummer, Senior Legislative Attorney
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Public Hearing:
Bill 1-12, Personnel - Special Days of Commemoration
Amendments
Bill 1-12, Personnel Special Days of Commemoration - Amendments, sponsored by
Councilmembers Ervin and Floreen, Vice President Navarro, and Councilmembers Riemer and
Andrews, was introduced on January 17, 2012. A Government Operations and Fiscal Policy
Committee worksession is tentatively scheduled for March 12 at 2:00 p.m.
The religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage of County residents is very diverse. The
County benefits economically, intellectually, culturally, and socially from the richness and
strength of its diversity and seeks to promote an inclusive community for all residents. The
Council enacted Bill 1-06 on March 28, 2006 to designate certain days of commemoration in
order to recognize this diversity. The ability of County employees to provide high quality
customer service is enhanced when County employees know that certain days have special
religious, ethnic, or cultural meaning that will affect the daily activities of a significant number
of County residents.
Bill 1-12 would add Korean American Day as an additional day of commemoration.
Korean Americans make up approximately 3% of the County's population. Korean American
Day is celebrated on January 13 to commemorate the first group of immigrants to the US from
Korea who arrived on Jan. 13, 1903. Since 1903, Korean Americans have made significant
contributions to Montgomery County and the United States in many different areas.
In addition to the days of commemoration designated in law by Bill 1-06, Code §33
4B(b)(2) authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to designate additional days of
commemoration that have "special religious, ethnic, or cultural meaning that may affect the daily
activities of a significant portion of the County's total population." Although the CAO has
already designated Korean American Day as a day of commemoration under this authority, Bill
1-12 would codify this decision.
This packet contains:
Bill 1-12
Legislative Request Report
F:\LAW\BILLS\I201 Days Of Commemoration • Korean American Day\PH Memo.Doc
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