2008-064
City of Hopkins
Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-064
WHEREAS, on July 23, 2004, the United States Congress declared that "the atrocities
unfolding in Darfur, Sudan are genocide;" and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2006, Congress reaffirmed that "the genocide unfolding
in the Darfur region of Sudan is characterized by acts of terrorism and
atrocities directed against civilians, including mass murder, rape, and
sexual violence committed by the Janjaweed and associated militias with
the complicity and support of the National Congress party-led faction of
the Government of Sudan;" and
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2007, the State of Minnesota passed a bill divesting
Minnesota's State Board of Investment from companies complicit in the
genocide. Upon signing, the Governor stated, "Minnesotans can be proud
that we are taking action to help cut off the flow of money to Sudan's
military. We're doing our part to stop the crimes and inhumanities in
Darfur;" and
WHEREAS, on December 31,2007, the President of the United States signed into law
the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (S. 2271), which
authorizes state and local governments to divest from Sudan and prohibits
federal contracts with companies that support the Khartoum government
of Sudan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is concerned not only with the financial repercussions
of investment in companies whose values will be negatively affected by
their involvement with the genocide being waged by the Government of
Sudan, but also with the moral implications of such financial
arrangements; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Hopkins do not want funds used to perpetrate
terrorism and atrocities against civilians; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins acknowledges that a refusal to invest in and
divestment from companies that have been targeted as complicit with
genocide is a course of last resort that should be used sparingly,
consistent with a City's fiduciary duties and only under extraordinary
circumstances. In the case of Sudan, Congressional and Presidential
declarations of genocide satisfy this high threshold; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution is not intended to set precedent with regard to investment
and divestment policies and practices of the City of Hopkins but is solely in
response to the exigencies of the declaration of genocide; and
WHEREAS, the Finance Director of the City of Hopkins has determined that the City
does not now own any investments in the scrutinized companies identified
by the Sudan Divestment Task Force; and
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of the City of Hopkins that this Resolution should remain
in effect only insofar as it continues to be consistent with, and does not
unduly interfere with, the foreign policy of the United States as determined
by the Federal Government.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
directs that no investments shall be made in any company or corporation
identified as a scrutinized company by the Sudan Divestment Task Force.
The effective date of this policy shall be upon the adoption of this
Resolution by the Hopkins City Council.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 18th day of November 2008.
BY~~
GeM well, Mayor
"