RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF RICHLAND COUNTY, MONTANA, DECLARING THE RICHLAND COUNTY TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR PREBORN CHILDREN AND URGING THE CITIZENS OF RICHLAND COUNTY TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND THE INALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE INHERENT DIGNITY OF ALL INNOCENT HUMAN BEINGS AT EVERY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT. 

 
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence affirms that all men are created equal and have been endowed by the Creator with unalienable rights - chief among them the right to life - and that the protection of these rights is an affirmative duty of federal, state and local governments; and WHEREAS, the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution provide for the protection of human life and liberty; and  

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States in Poelker v. Doe (432 US 519, 1977) concluded that “the Constitution does not forbid a State or city, pursuant to democratic processes, from expressing a preference for normal childbirth” instead of abortion; and  

WHEREAS, state police power derives from the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gives states the powers "not delegated to the United States;” and WHEREAS, the power to establish and enforce laws protecting the welfare, safety, and health of the public is a core function of the state’s Tenth Amendment police power; and  

WHEREAS, our county commissioners desire to express its deep concern that all human beings, at every stage of development, including before birth, in Richland County should be afforded protection from acts of cruelty, and be treated humanely and with dignity.  

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF RICHLAND COUNTY 

Section 1. The Commissioners of Richland County hereby recognize and declare the humanity of the preborn child and urges the citizens of Richland County to encourage the humane treatment of all human beings, including the preborn child, as well as to promote and defend the dignity of all human life. 

 Section 2. Based upon the desire to be recognized as a sanctuary county for preborn children, the County Commissioners shall arrange for the placement on the county courthouse grounds of a suitable commemorative plaque declaring Richland County to be a “Sanctuary County for Preborn Children.”  

Section 3. Based upon this resolution, the County Commissioners will organize a public meeting to request input from citizens, churches, and other social organizations to determine possible measures to be adopted within the means and power of the City in order to provide support for mothers and fathers of preborn babies, in order to become a city that truly welcomes and protects the gift of life from the moment of conception and at every stage of development.