A RESOLUTION
AFFIRMING THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION,
FACILITATED BY CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO
COMMITTED TO COMPASSION, AND AUTHORIZING
THE REGISTRATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL
CAMPAIGN FOR COMPASSIONATE CITIES.
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WHEREAS, compassion is a purpose, principle, and unifying value that guides and compels people of all backgrounds, perspectives, creeds, and cultures to treat all human beings with justice, equity, and respect; and
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that practicing compassion produces positive benefits in all sectors of civic and community life, including safety, public health, and physical, mental, and spiritual well-being; and
WHEREAS, the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities is a global movement inspired by the Golden Rule, or Ethic of Reciprocity, which calls on each person to treat others as he or she wishes to be treated; and
WHEREAS, residents of the City of San Antonio demonstrate this ethic daily in their homes, schools, places of faith, businesses, community organizations and on our streets; and
WHEREAS, San Antonio continues to exemplify compassionate values in many forms, from its five-time NBA championship team, the Spurs, who play, mentor and lead with compassion, to its hosting of the largest Martin Luther King, Jr. March in the country and its welcoming and support of 35,000 evacuees who sought refuge after Hurricane Katrina, that show a living example of compassion to the world; and
WHEREAS, San Antonio continues to strive to advance the quality of life for all their residents and in all their communities, without partisanship, and with the conviction that people can and do have the capacity to improve their lives and make a positive difference in the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, San Antonio was founded in faith almost three hundred years ago by our foremothers and fathers, and the city continues that tradition today through its Faith-Based Initiative by exploring and actualizing collaboration across faith and civic lines to promote the greater good; and
WHEREAS, many expressions of compassion take place in our city on a daily basis facilitated by dedicated community organizations working to lift up our neighbors by ensuring equality and promoting the human potential of our community; and
WHEREAS, the Charter for Compassion is active in nearly 50 countries with initiatives in hundreds of cities and communities, both large and small, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and our sister city of Monterrey, Mexico, each with their own unique way of expressing compassion and exploring the use of compassion as their overall strategic lens within complex urban growth and conflicted times; NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO:
SECTION 1. The City recognizes that its constituents are modeling actions and attitudes that reflect the Golden Rule as expressed in the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities’ “Charter for Compassion”.
SECTION 2. The City encourages San Antonio’s institutions of learning to have all ages explore and teach compassion, based on the understanding that extensive research and resources validate the full spectrum of the benefits of compassion, from being good for the bottom line of business to being a part of the human DNA.
SECTION 3. The City supports groups and initiatives that will make San Antonio a more compassionate City, and through its Faith Based Initiative the City will work with the community and neighborhoods to foster compassion in a reasoned and coordinated manner.
SECTION 4. The City accepts the support of other public, private, community and faith-based organizations that wish to improve the quality of life for all residents of San Antonio and to generate compassionate action through local initiatives, policies and programs.
SECTION 5. The City recognizes, records and celebrates acts of compassion among members of the San Antonio Community.
SECTION 6. The City affirms the Charter for Compassion and authorizes the City’s registration with the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities through Compassion Action Network International.
SECTION 7. This Resolution is effective immediately upon the receipt of eight affirmative votes; otherwise, it is effective ten days after passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 22nd day of June, 2017.
