Title
To Recognize June 20, 2017, as “World Refugee Day”
Body
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. According to the United Nations, there are currently more than 16 million refugees who have fled their countries and more than 37 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, 2017, as “World Refugee Day” and renews its commitment to welcoming and supporting all new residents in the City of Columbus.