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December 26, 1967
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<br />these regards, that Portsmouth is a human relations leader among the cities in Tidewater, and
<br />that our city Council is willing to place both its voice and its vote behind principles which
<br />it knows to be just.
<br /> I ask that you lend your support and your vote to this resoltuion when it next appears
<br />before the Council.
<br /> Thank you for yottr cooperation." (Rabbi Frank Stern, Temple Sinai)
<br />
<br /> "At a recent meeting of the Portsmouth Ministerial Association, there was passed a supporting
<br />statement to add to the one which was presented to City Council recently by tke Fair Housing agency.
<br />From my standpoint, I strongly approve of this resolution and believe that the City Council
<br />support it. Indeed, I would go a bit further than some of the ministers present at the meeting and
<br />want to leave out that last phrase which seems to make an exception to the fair housing principle.
<br />Like the Methodist Discipline says, Paragraph 1820, III, d. I stand "for equal rights for all
<br />racial, cultural, and religious groups"...(Including)"the right to choose a home~ enter a school,
<br />secure employment, vote, and haveaccess to public accommodations."
<br /> It is my opinion that there is still a good chance that someday we might be a model city; the
<br />council might hasten this process if it would voluntarily and soon pass such a resolution. Portsmouth
<br />could be certainly proved to be that progressively run city that it at times seems to be.
<br /> Also, certain trends in communities adjacent to strong naval establishments will be continued
<br />to include the Tidewater area. My six years in active service with*the Navy and my several months
<br />stationed here have Put me in touch with the military element here. Here's hoping that for once, we
<br />will lead the way in-this regard and surpass even Norfolk and Virginia Beach by taking the fo~qard step
<br />in this direction.
<br /> Let it not be said of Portsmouth that "there was no room in the Inn." ~ need to have a broad-
<br />based acceptance of the open occupancy concept if we are to he really true to our Christian ~lty after
<br />two thousand years.
<br /> Please use your influence to support this resolution." {Portsmouth Ministerial Association by
<br /> Rev. Robert H. Eason)
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<br /> "On December 12 the Tidewater Fair Ho~ing Incorporated, presented to you a resolution on
<br />Fair Mousing.
<br /> We of the Portsmouth ~inisterial Association have unanimously passed the following resolution:
<br /> %gHEREAS, the Portsmouth Ministerial Association favors the resolution presented to the City
<br />Council by Tidewater Fair Housing, Inc., and
<br /> I~EREAS, this Association is of the opinion that the climate in improved human relations in our
<br />city needs the moral leadership of City Council.
<br /> BE IT RESOL¥~D, ~hat this Association requests the City Council to consider t~e resolution presented
<br />to it by Tidewater Pair Housing. Inc., and to take favorable action thereon." (Rev. Larry W. Schmidt,
<br />Secretary, Portsmouth Ministerial Association)
<br />
<br /> "The Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce believes that good race relations exist in Portsmouth and that
<br />steady progress has been and will continue to be achieved. This improvement has been achieved on a
<br />voluntary basis on the par~ of an interested citizenry who have been willing to take the time to
<br />reach common bnderstandings in the interest of progress. ~e wish to emphasize that progress in
<br />many areas such as employment, education, recreation and housing has been achieved through the
<br />cooperative efforts and determination of community leaders from all races without fanfare and
<br />publicity.
<br /> The Portsmouth Chamber od Commerce supports the concept of voluntary open occupancy for ali citizens.
<br />Further, the Portsmouth Chmmh~r believes that this concept is best approached, not by legislation,
<br />but on the same cooperative basis that has so characterized Portsmouth's a~proach to solving
<br />problems in human relations.
<br /> The Board od Directors of the Portsmouth Chamber od Commerce in a meeting Tuesday,
<br />December 26, 1967 request that the Portsmouth City Council endorse tile Chmmber's concept and
<br />philosophy in striving for open housing on a voluntary basis." {Portsmouth C~ber of
<br />Commerce, Ed Garland, Executive Vice President)
<br />
<br /> On metion of Mr, King, the privilege of the floor was granted to those who wished to
<br />speak. The following snoke:
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<br /> Rev. Whitaker, R, L. Ivy, John E. HcCormick, Solomon J. Carey, Ed Garland, Rev. Charles
<br />L. Taylor, Sam Price-600 Ferry Road, S. J. Olliver-ll6 Riverside Drive, George R, Walker,
<br />Frank Douglas Johnson, Ellis W. James. President, Tidewater Fair Housing
<br />
<br /> On motion of Hr. Eastes, the following resolution was presented by the City Attorney, for
<br />discussion by the Council:
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<br />"A RESOLUTION CO~MENDING TO THE CITIZENS OF PORTSMOUTH THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL
<br />O~PORTUNITY OF ALL PERSONS TO OB~IN HOUSING.
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<br /> WHEREAS, Portsmouth is proud of its record in the field of human relations; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the continuation of this record is essential to the fur~r ~eveloDment and
<br />improvement of this city; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the right ~ obtain housing is an important element in this field.
<br /> NOW, THERHFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia~ that it commends
<br />to its citizens the constitutional principle that. every person has the right to obtain housing according
<br />to his financial ability and without regard to his race, color, ~eligion or national origin."
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. King, the resolution, presented by the City Attorney, was unanimously adopted,
<br />
<br /> 67-388 - The following letter from the Health, Welfare and Recreation Planning Council,
<br />C. Charles Vache, Chairman, was read:
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