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Recognizing June 20, 2016, as “World Refugee Day”
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WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 55/76 on December 4th, 2000, to officially recognize June 20th as World Refugee Day; and
WHEREAS, a refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their home in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster; and according to the United Nations, there are currently 15 million refugees who have fled their countries and 27 million who have been displaced from their homes within their country; and
WHEREAS, through entrepreneurism, self-sufficiency, networking, and job skills, local refugees are able to build social capital, which has a positive impact in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, 13.6 percent of employed refugees age sixteen and older are business owners and there are an estimated 873 refugee-owned businesses in the Columbus area which employ 3,960 workers and support an estimated total of 21,273 jobs in the Columbus region; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is proud of its history of welcoming refugees and is committed to supporting displaced persons and families seeking a new beginning; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby recognize June 20, 2016, as “World Refugee Day” and renews its commitment to welcoming and supporting all new residents in the City of Columbus.