Text of OK SCR 43 (2016)
Concurrent resolution relating to action of U.S. Departments of Education and Justice.
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As introduced
4,272 characters
Req. No. 3492
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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 55th Legislature (2016)
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 43
By: Sykes of the Senate
and
Bennett of the House
AS INTRODUCED
A Concurrent Resolution relating to action of the
United States Departments of Education and Justice;
directing Attorney General to defend interests of
state; making certain request of members of United
States House of Representatives elected from this
state; condemning actions of Departments; and
directing distribution.
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2016, the Civil Rights Division of the
United States Department of Justice and the Office for Civil Rights
of the United States Department of Education issued a letter
addressed to "colleagues" in schools across the country; and
WHEREAS, the letter purports to provide "significant guidance"
relating to civil rights protections for transgender students, to
summarize a school's Title IX obligations regarding transgender
students and explain how the United States Department of Justice and
the United States Department of Education evaluate a school's
compliance with these obligations; and
Req. No. 3492
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WHEREAS, the letter is accompanied by a document entitles
"Examples of Policies and Emerging Practices for Supporting
Transgender Students"; and
WHEREAS, the letter imposes conditions upon receipt of federal
funds by schools relating to treatment of persons in educational
programs or activities on the basis of sex, including gender
identity; and
WHEREAS, while the Oklahoma Legislature is fully supportive of
providing a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for and
protecting the privacy of all students, the policies, proscriptions
and conditions set forth in the letter clearly and unequivocally
exceeds the authority of the federal government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION
OF THE 55TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONCURRING THEREIN:
Section 1. The Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma is
hereby directed to defend, by any means necessary, the interests of
this state against the overreach of the Civil Rights Division of the
United States Department of Justice and the Office for Civil Rights
of the United States Department of Education, as expressed in the
letter referenced in this resolution.
Section 2. The members of the United States House of
Representatives elected from this state are hereby requested to file
articles of impeachment against the President of the United States,
Req. No. 3492
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the Attorney General of the United States, the Secretary of
Education and any other federal official liable to impeachment who
has exceeded his or her constitutional authority with respect to the
letter referenced in this resolution, based upon the grounds that
the Constitution of the United States does not grant the executive
branch of the federal government any authority whatsoever over the
public education system, nor over the use of restrooms or other
facilities thereof.
Section 3. The Oklahoma State Legislature hereby condemns the
actions of the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department
of Justice and the Office for Civil Rights of the United States
Department of Education, as expressed in the letter referenced in
this resolution, as contrary to the values of the citizens of
Oklahoma and to the interests of public safety.
Section 4. Copies of this resolution shall be distributed to
the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of
Justice, the Attorney General of the United States, the Secretary of
Education, the President of the United States and all members of the
Oklahoma congressional delegation.
55-2-3492
CD
5/19/2016 4:31:12 PM