WHEREAS: During the term of those City Commissioners serving the City of Lawrence on and before July 18, 1967, they recognized and acted to change the existence of obvious discrimination in the then existing community wide practice in renting, leasing, selling, financing, showing and advertising of real estate; and,
WHEREAS: On or about January 31, 1967, the Kansas Legislature defeated a proposed fair housing law, probably in response to the substantial community outcry of opposition to the proposed legislation; and
WHEREAS: Through the concerted work of those who assisted in the adoption of Ordinance No. 3749, those who have followed and with the efforts and continued guidance of the Human Relations Commission, there have been and continues to be a noticeable and significant change for the protection of those who seek to purchase, rent or assign real property within the City; and
WHEREAS: The protected classes identified in Ordinance No. 3749 have been expanded and now include race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, and gender identity; and
WHEREAS: Notwithstanding the vast changes in the way those who seek to purchase, rent, assign, or otherwise have or seek an interest in real property are treated and protected, there remain cases of discrimination which the City is dedicated to correct;
WHEREAS: Prior to the adoption of Ordinance No. 3749, there was no Kansas or federal law addressing real property discrimination; therefore the City of Lawrence is to be recognized for its creation and adoption of Ordinance No. 3749 which we now celebrate on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Leslie Soden, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim July 18, 2017, to be recognized as the 50th anniversary of the passage of Lawrence’s Fair Housing Ordinance and urge our residents to view the new fair housing exhibit and to participate in the “FAIR HOUSING at 50 CELEBRATION” and ask the people of Lawrence to join me in reaffirming our obligation to fair and equal housing for every person who resides or wishes to reside in our city.
Leslie Soden, Mayor
July 18, 2017