Okaloosa County BOCC — December 1, 2015 — Resolution Draft Refugees (Okaloosa) 11-23

RESOLUTION NUMBER 15 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, OPPOSING ANY EFFORTS TO BRING MIDDLE EASTERN CONFLICT REGION REFUGEES INTO OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners takes great pride in supporting the highest quality of life among Okaloosa County residents; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners opposes reckless relocation of any middle eastern conflict region refugees, including inter alia, Syrian refugees (collectively “Middle Eastern Refugees”), into Okaloosa County; and WHEREAS, following the recent terrorist attacks by militant Islamic extremists against civilians and innocents, including those attacks perpetrated by terrorists posing as refugees to gain access to European and other nations; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners finds that it is essential for both the State and Federal Governments to take immediate and aggressive action to prevent the use of any public funds or other resources to locate Middle Eastern Refugees to Okaloosa County, the State of Florida, or anywhere in the United States, without an extensive and reliable evaluation of the risks that these individuals may pose to the security of Okaloosa County residents, Floridians, and Americans in general; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners finds that the prohibition of such dangerous refugee admission practices will help protect the public health, safety, and welfare of Okaloosa County, today and for future generations. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA: 1. That the Board of County Commissioners finds the above recitals to be true and correct and incorporated herein by reference. 2. That the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners opposes any attempts to located Middle Eastern Refugees into the County.  3. That the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners hereby directs the Clerk to forward a copy of this resolution to the following: Honorable Barack Hussein Obama II Senator Bill Nelson President of the United States State of Florida The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave The Capitol, 111 North Adams Street Washington DC, 20500 Tallahassee, FL 32301 Senator Marco Rubio U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller State of Florida State of Florida The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe Street 4300 Bayou Boulevard, #13 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Pensacola, FL 32503 Governor Rick Scott State of Florida The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 4. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. ADOPTED this 1st day of December 2015. OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS __________________________ NATHAN D. BOYLES, CHAIRMAN ATTEST: JD PEACOCK II Clerk of the Circuit Court By: ________________________________ Deputy Clerk (Seal) APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: By: ______________________________ Gregory T. Stewart County Attorney