RESOLUTION #2

OF THE

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY REPUBLICAN CLUB 

 

MOTORIST EQUALITY RESOLUTION

 

Official Resolution requesting equal access, equal treatment and

equal opportunity for all registered voter-motorists on all of California's

public-funded freeway facilities on Primary Election Day, February 5, 2008

 

Objective: "No Voter Left Behind"

 

Whereas, the San Fernando Valley Republican Club of Los Angeles County is a staunch

defender of democratic elections and a dedicated advocate for protecting the civil rights of all

registered voters at all times; and

Whereas, America's civil rights are granted equally to the individual, it is therefore

government's essential duty to ensure that these rights are protected equally for all members of our

citizenry at all times; and

Whereas. "civil rights" is defined as "including the right to vote, the opportunity to enjoy the

benefits of a democratic society, such as equal access to public schools, recreation, transportation,

public facilities, and housing, and equal and fair treatment by law enforcement and the courts,"

(www.dictionary.law.com); and

Whereas, many of California's public-funded freeways have an exclusive and congestion-

ˇfree Diamond Lane, also known as the "carpool lane," which grants special driving privileges and

preferential treatment to a selective class of motorists that qualify; and

Whereas, motorists that have as few as a single passenger or drive alone in a hybrid vehicle

are classed as "carpoolers" and favorably qualify to be rewarded with special driving privileges and

preferential treatment on the Diamond Lane; and

Whereas, motorists that do not favorably qualify for this privileged treatment on the Diamond

Lane are classed as "single-occupant motorists" and are unjustly penalized and left behind in

heavily congested gridlock; and

Whereas, the Diamond Lane doctrine is inequitable and contradictory to democracy's

fundamental principle of "equal opportunity for all and special privileges for none"; and

Whereas, Article 1, Declaration of Rights, Section 7. b) of California's State Constitution

stipulates: "A citizen or class of citizens may not be granted privileges or immunities not granted on

the same terms to all citizens"; and

Whereas, more than 75% of California's 23 million licensed motorists drive alone in standard

vehicles, either out of choice or necessity, and are subsequently disenfranchised from enjoying the

full benefits of equal access on our State's public-funded freeway facilities; and

Whereas, low voter turnout can be attributed to many factors, the overwhelming majority of

California's registered voter-motorists cannot be guaranteed equal access, equal treatment and

equal opportunity at their Polling Place unless they are guaranteed the same equal access, equal

treatment and equal opportunity on their drive to their Polling Place; and

Whereas, on July 27, 2006, the United States Senate voted 98-0 to extend the federal Voting

Rights Act that guarantees equal rights to all voters; now

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Members of the San Fernando Valley Republican Club

of Los Angeles County, call upon California's Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and

the State Senate and Assembly, and as a matter of the highest priority, to employ steadfast

bipartisanship in taking allˇ necessary steps to provide appropriate authority and means to issue a

directive that accomplishes the following:

 

"The State of California shall open all preferential treatment Diamond Lanes on

Primary Election Day. Tuesday. February 5, 2008. making them accessible to each and every

motorist alike. thereby ensuring that all registered voter-motorists driving on our public-funded

freeway facilities have the same equal access. equal treatment and equal opportunity

on the drive to their Polling Place as they are guaranteed at their Polling Place."

Be It Further Resolved, that the Members of the San Fernando Valley Republican Club of

Los Angeles County, reject the separate and unequal Diamond Lane doctrine in its entirety, and

hereby request that all lanes on California's public-funded freeway facilities remain equally and

permanently open to all licensed motorists at all times.

 

Approved this Fourth Day of September 2007

Submitted by:

 

Gary A. Aminoff, President

San Fernando Valley Republican Club of Los Angeles County