Agenda Item 11
February 14,2012
Public Hearing
MEMORANDUM
February 10,2012
TO:
County Council
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Robert H. Drummer, Senior Legislative Attorney1iJ
Public Hearing:
Bill 3-12, Personnel- Special Days of Commemoration ­
Additions
Bill 3-12, Personnel - Special Days of Commemoration - Additions, sponsored by
Councilmembers Leventhal and EIrich, is scheduled was introduced on January 24, 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.
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." The CAO has already
designated 21 additional days of commemoration under this authority. Bill 3-12 would codify
each ofthese additional days. These additional days and their dates for 2012 are:
Three Kings Day
January 6,2012
Three Kings Days (also called Dia de los Reyes, Epiphany, Feast of Kings, Twelfth Day,
Twelfthtide, Day of the Three Wise Men). This major festival of the Christian Church is
observed in many parts of the world with gifts, feasting, last lighting of the Christmas lights and
burning of Christmas greens.
It
is the Twelfth and last day of the Feast of the Nativity. It
commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men (Kings of Magi) to Bethlehem. It is one of the
oldest Christian feasts, originating in the Eastern Church in the second century, and predates the
Western feast of Christmas.
It
was adopted by the Western Church during the same period in
which the Eastern Church accepted Christmas.
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Orthodox Christmas Day
January 7, 2012
Eastern Orthodox Churches, which use the Julian Calendar to determine feast days, celebrate on
January 7 by the Gregorian Calendar.
Korean American Day
January 13,2012
A number of U.S. states have declared January 13 as Korean American Day in order to recognize
Korean Americans' impact and contributions.
Parinirvana - Nirvana day
February 15,2012
Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of Buddha's death. Pure Land Buddhists
call the festival "Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th.
Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha's death when he reached total Nirvana, at the age of
80.
Presidents'Day
February 20, 2012
Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of
February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Although
President Lincoln's birthday, February 12, was never a federal holiday, approximately a dozen
state governments including Maryland, have officially renamed their Washington's Birthday
observances as Presidents' Day.
Magha Puja
March 8, 2012
Fourfold Assembly or Sangha Day. Marks the day Buddha addressed a meeting of 1250
arahants.
Norouz
March 20,2012
"New Day" (originally "New Light") is the traditional celebration of the ancient Achaemenid
Iranian New Year. Norouz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year. Norouz is
celebrated and observed by Iranian peoples and has spread in many other parts of the world,
including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in
the Balkans.
It
is marked by family visits and the exchange of gifts, as well as special feasts.
It
is
also commemorated by setting tables with foods and special items beginning with the letter S;
this is known as the Haft Sin. The 13th day of the New Year festival is called "Sizdah Bedar"
and is spent out of doors at picnics and parks. The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized
the International Day of Norouz, describing it a spring festival of Persian origin which has been
celebrated for over 3,000 years.
Theravada New Year
April 6 - 9, 2012
New Year festival for Theravada Buddhists, celebrated for three days from the first full moon
day in April.
2
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Festival of Ridvan
April 21, 2012
Festival of Ridvan - Meaning ("paradise") is a Baha'i celebration commemorating the 12-day
period in 1863 that Baha'u'llah (Baha'i founder) spent in the Garden of Ridvan, just outside
Bagdad. During this period, Baha'u'llah began his prophethood and became God's messenger for
this age. Baha'u'llah was in the Garden of Ridvan from April 21 to May 2, 1863, and this period
is considered the most holy festival of the Baha'i faith and is called "Most Great Festival." The
Festival of Ridvan is observed according to the Baha'i calendar and begins on April 21 and
continues through May 2 each year.
Wesak or Buddha day
May 6, 2012
The most important of the Buddhist festivals.
It
celebrates the Buddha's birthday, and, for some
Buddhists, also marks his enlightenment and death.
Ascension Thursday (Orthodox)
May 17,2012
Religious observance by many Christians, affirming the ascension of Jesus, celebrated on the
Thursday in the sixth week following Easter Sunday.
Memorial Day
May 28,2012
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial
Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States
Armed Forces.
Dharma Day
July 3, 2012
The anniversary of the start of Buddha's teaching - his first sermon, "The Wheel of Truth", after
his enlightenment.
Independence Day
July 4,2012
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United
States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,
declaring independence from Great Britain.
Ramadan: The Islamic Month of Fasting
July 20, 2012
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is holy because it was during this month that
the Holy Quran (Koran) was revealed. Adults fast from dawn until sunset to achieve spiritual and
physical purification and self-discipline, abstaining from food, drink and intimate relations.
It
is a
time for feeling a common bond with the poor and needy, and is a time of piety and prayer.
It
begins on the Islamic lunar calendar date Ramadan 1, 1429. Begins at sunset the preceding day.
3
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Labor Day
September 3,2012
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that
celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.
Veterans' Day
November 11,2012
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is a United States federal holiday observed on November
11 honoring armed service veterans.
Thanksgiving Day
November 22,2012
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in
November. On Thanksgiving Day, people give thanks for what they have and for the good things
that happened during the year. The first Thanksgiving in New England took place in Plymouth,
Massachusetts, in 1621. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in
November as a national day of thanksgiving. Presidents made a similar declaration each year
afterward. Congress established Thanksgiving Day as a legal national holiday beginning in 1941.
American Indian Heritage Day
November 23,2012
On November 13, 2007, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed
legislation introduced by Representative Joe Baca that encourages the designation of the Friday
after Thanksgiving Day as Native American Heritage Day to pay tribute to Native Americans for
their many contributions to the United States.
It
is observed as a state holiday in Maryland.
Source: http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/chapters nolniCh 486 hb0083T.pdf
Hanukkah (Chanukah)
December 8 - 16, 2012
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is celebrated by Jewish people around the world to commemorate their
victory in the Maccabean War of 162 B.C.E. After the war, the Temple was cleansed and
rededicated and the Menorah (perpetual lamp) was relit. Hanukkah means "dedication" in
Hebrew. The celebration of Hanukkah is also known as the "Feast of Lights" because one of the
stories told is that the oil for the lamps was sufficient only for one day but burned miraculously
for eight days. Today, Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a special Menorah with
eight candles plus a ninth shammash candle (server used to light the others). The dates of the
Holiday usually fall in November or December, starting on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew
calendar each year. Begins at sundown December 8, 2012.
BodhiDay
December 8, 2012
On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama1s attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi
tree at Bodhgaya, India.
This packet contains:
Bill 3-12
Legislative Request Report
Fiscal and Economic Impact Statement
F:\LAWIBILLS\I203 Days Of Commemoration - Additions\PH Memo.Doc
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Bill No.
3-12
Concerning: Personnel - Special Days
of Commemoration - Additions
Revised: January 18, 2012 Draft No. _1_
Introduced:
January 24, 2012
Expires:
July 24,2013
Enacted: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Executive: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Effective: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Sunset Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Ch. _ _, Laws of Mont. Co. _ __
COUNTY COUNCIL
FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND
By: Councilmembers Leventhal and EIrich
AN
ACT to:
(1)
(2)
designate certain additional days of commemoration; and
generally amend the law relating to County employees and the religious, ethnic, and
cultural heritage of County residents.
By amending
Montgomery County Code
Chapter 33, Personnel and Human Resources
Section 33-4B, Days of Commemoration
Boldface
Underlining
[Single boldface brackets]
DQuble underlining
[[Double boldface brackets]]
* * *
Heading or defined term.
Added to existing law by original bill.
Deletedfrom existing law by original bill.
Added by amendment.
Deleted from existing law or the bill by amendment.
Existing law unaffected by bill
The County Council for Montgomery County, Maryland approves the following Act:
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BILL
No.3 -12
1
2
Sec.
1.
Section 33-4B is amended as follows:
Sec. 33-4B. Days of commemoration.
3
4
(a)
Legislative findings.
(1) The religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage of County residents is
very diverse.
(2) 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.
(3) The County's respect for the diversity of its own workforce is
reflected in the County's rules governing leave and alternate
work schedules for religious observance.
(4) The ability of County employees to meet the needs of County
residents and 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.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
(b)
Days of commemoration.
(1 )
Each of the following calendar days
commemoration:
(A) Eid Ul-Adha;
(B) Asian Lunar New Year;
(C) Martin Luther King Day;
(D) Ash Wednesday;
(E) Purim;
(F) Passover;
(G) Holy Thursday;
(H)
Good Friday;
IS
designated a day of
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
@
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BILL NO.3 -12
28
(I)
Easter;
Orthodox Holy Thursday;
Orthodox Good Friday;
Orthodox Easter;
Ascension Thursday (Western);
Shavuot;
F east ofthe Assumption;
Juneteenth;
Rosh Hashanah;
Yom Kippur;
Succoth;
[Shmini] Shemini Atzeret;
Simchas Torah;
Eid Ul-Fitr;
Diwali;
Feast ofAll Saints;
F east of the Immaculate Conception;
Christmas;
[and]
29
30
31
32
33
34
(J)
(K)
(L)
(M)
(N)
(0)
(P)
(Q)
(R)
(S)
(T)
(U)
(V)
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
(W)
(X)
(Y)
(Z)
46
(AA) Kwanza.;.
(BB) Korean American Day;
(CC) Three Kings Day;
47
48
49
illQ}
Orthodox Christmas Day;
(EE) Parinirvana Nirvana Day;
(FF) President's Day;
(GG) Magha Puja;
50
51
=
52
53
54
eHH)
Norouz;
an
Theravada New Year;
CD-
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BILL NO.3 -12
55
56
57
58
59
(n)
Festival of Ridvan;
eKK) Wesak or Buddha Day;
eLL) Ascension Thursday (Orthodox);
(MM) Memorial Day;
ili.W
Dharma Day;
60
61
(00) Independence Day;
(PP) Ramadan: The Islamic Month of Fasting;
(QQ) Labor Day;
(RR) Veterans'Day;
(SS) Thanksgiving Day;
(TT) American Indian Heritage Day;
(1ill)
Hanukkah (Chanukah); and
62
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64
65
66
67
(VV) Bodhi Day.
68
*
Approved:
*
*
69
70
Roger Berliner, President, County Council
Date
71
72
Approved:
Isiah Leggett, County Executive
Date
73
74
This is a correct copy o/Council action.
Linda M. Lauer, Clerk of the Council
Date
e
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LEGISLA'"IVE REQUEST REPORT
Bil13-12
Personnel- Special Days o/Commemoration
-
Additions
DESCRIPTION:
This bill would add each day already designated by the CAO as an
additional day of commemoration to the list of calendar days that
have special religious, ethnic, or cultural meaning.
The CAO has designated 21 days of commemoration that are not
listed in the law. This Bill would codify each of these additional
days as a day of commemoration.
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. The
addition of these days will enhance the awareness of County
employees and residents.
Chief Administrative Officer, Human Resources
To be requested.
To be requested.
To be requested.
To be researched.
Robert H. Drummer, Senior Legislative Attorney, 240-777-7895
To be researched.
PROBLEM:
GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES:
COORDINATION:
FISCAL IMPACT:
ECONOMIC
IMPACT:
EVALUATION:
EXPERIENCE
ELSEWHERE:
SOURCE OF
INFORMATION:
APPLICATION
WITHIN
MUNICIPALITIES:
PENALTIES:
Not applicable.
F:\LAw\BILLS\12xx Days Of Commemoration - Additions\Legislative Request Report.Doc
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re~
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<.:
066563
ROCKVILLE, MARYlAND
S£,f
i-L-.
MEMORANDUM
February
6,
1012
TO:
Roger Berliner, President, County Counci1
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Jennifer A. Hughes, Director, Office ofManagement
Joseph F. Beach, Director, Department
~
,
,
fJ'
J;t
~
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I'll?"
Bill 1-12 - Personnel- Special Days ofCommemoration - Amendments
Attached please find
the
fiscal and economic impact statements for
the
above­
referenced legislation.
JAH:hpv
c: Kathleen Boucher, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer
Lisa Austin, Offices of the County Executive
Joy Nunni, Special Assistant to
the
County Executive
Patrick Lacefield, Director, Public Information Office
Alex Espinosa, Office of Management and Budget
Blaise DeFazio, Office of Management and Budget
Helen ValJone. Office ofManagement and Budget
Naeem Mia, Office
of
Management and Budget
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Fiscal Impact Statement
Bill 1-12 - Personnel- Special Days of Commemoration - Amendments
1.
Legislative Summary.
Bill 1·12 would add Korean-American I}clYas an additional day ofcommemoration.
Korean~Americans
make up approximately
3%
ofthe 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.
The religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage ofCounty residents is very diverse. The
County benefits economfually, 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 ofCounty 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
ofa significant number ofCounty residents.
.
Although
the
CAO
has
already designated Korean-American Day
as a
day of
commemoration under Code §334B(b
)(2»)
Bill 1-12 would codify this decision.
2.
An
estimate of changes
in
County revenues and expenditures regardless ofwhether
the revenues or expenditures are assumed
in
the recommended or approved budget.
Includes source of information, assumptions, and methodologies used.
This bill is not expected to produce any fiscal impact on revenues or expenditures.
3. Revenue and expenditure estimates coveriDg at least the next 6 fiscal years.
This bill
is
not expected to produce any fiscal impact on revenues or expenditures.
4. An aduarial analysis through the entire amortization period for eaeb bHl that would
affect retiree pension or group insurance costs.
Not applicable.
s.
Later actions that may affect future revenue and expenditures
if
tbe
biD
authorizes
future spending.
Not applicable. This bill does not authorize any spending.
6.
An
estimate of the staff time needed to implement the
bill
No additional staff time is needed to implement this bill. Korean-American Day is
already recognized as a Special Day of Commemoration.
1
(j)
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7.
An
explanation of how the addition of new'
staff
responsibilities would affect other
duties..
Not applicable.
8.
An
estimate of costs when an additional appropriation is needed.
Not applicable.
9. A description of any variable that could affeet revenue and cost estimates.
Not applicable. This bill does not affect revenues or costs.
10.
Ranges of revenue or expenditures that
are
uncertain or difficult to project.
Not applicable.
11.
If
a
bill
is
likely
to have
DO fIScal
impact, why that
is
the case.
Not applicable. This bill
has
no fiscal impact.
12. Other fiscal impacts or comments.
13. The {oUowlng contributed
to
and concurred with this analysis:
Stuart Weisberg, Office ofHuman Resources
Helen P. Vallone, Office ofManagement and Budget
Naeem Mia, Office ofManagement and Budget
ki-4x~
-Je-nnifi""£"-eTt1t~~tOr
,J
(II
Office ofManagement and Budget
Date
2
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Eeonomic Impact St.ltemeilt
Council Bill 1-12, Personnel -Special Days of Commemoration -Amendments
Background:
.
~
I
;
I
1
I
1
I
. This
proposed legislation
adds
Korean American Day to the
list
ofDays of
Commemoration
observed
for
County
employees. Designation as a
Day
of
Commemoration means
that
the day
has
special religious,
ethnic
or
cultural
meaning.
i
.
I
I
I
1. The sources
ofinfocnation, assumptions, and methodologies used.
Not
applicable.
I
2. A
description of
any
variable
that
could affect the
economic
impact
estimates..
Not applicable.
3. The Bill's positive or negative effect,
if
any on employment, spending. saving,
investment, incomes,
and
property values in the County.
Not applicable.
4.
Ifa
Bill is likely to have no economic
impact,
why
is
that
the
case?
The
bill
is administrative only.
5. The following contributed
to
and
concWTed
with
this
analysis: Mike
Caveyou,
Finance
l
sep
F.
Director
ent
ofFmance
~'i~