Number
010557
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. PAWLINSKI, BOHL
Title
Resolution authorizing the acceptance of an offer from the Fraternal Order of Eagles to accept the return of the monolith of the Ten Commandments currently located on the grass plot immediately south of the Market Street garage entrance to the Zeidler Municipal Building.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Department of Public Works - Buildings and Fleet Division to accept an offer from the Fraternal Order of Eagles to accept the return of the monolith of the Ten Commandments currently located on the grass plot immediately south of the Market Street garage entrance to the Zeidler Municipal Building, and directs the Department of Public Works - Buildings and Fleet Division to facilitate the return of the monolith to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Body
Whereas, At the International Convention of the Fraternal Order of Eagles held in Milwaukee in 1955, a monolith of the Ten Commandments was presented to Mayor Frank P. Zeidler by Judge E. J. Ruegemer, Chairman of the Eagles' National Youth Guidance Commission, and Judge Robert W. Hansen, as a gift to the citizens of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, After considerable discussion, a group consisting of a representative of the Eagles, the Chairman of the Buildings-Grounds-Harbors Committee, the Superintendent of the Bureau of Bridges and Public Buildings, a representative of the architects for the Municipal Building, a representative of the Mayor's Office, and the Commissioner of Public Works unanimously agreed that the monolith should be placed in the approximate center of the grass plot immediately south of the Market Street garage entrance to the Municipal Building; and
Whereas, On May 29, 2001, a divided U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case of Elkhart v. Books involving the display of a Ten Commandment monument on city property in the City of Elkhart, Indiana, effectively upholding the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the display of the monument on city property is unconstitutional in that it violates the separation of church and state; and
Whereas, Based on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision declining to hear the case of Elkhart v. Books, the City is currently looking for an appropriate site to relocate the monolith of the Ten Commandments; and
Whereas, The Fraternal Order of Eagles has offered to accept the return of the monolith of the Ten Commandments from the City and provide a more appropriate permanent location for the monument; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Public Works - Buildings and Fleet Division is authorized and directed to accept an offer from the Fraternal Order of Eagles to accept the return of the monolith of the Ten Commandments currently located on the grass plot immediately south of the Market Street garage entrance to the Zeidler Municipal Building; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Public Works - Buildings and Fleet Division is authorized and directed to facilitate the return of the monolith of the Ten Commandments to the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council expresses its sincere appreciation to the Fraternal Order of Eagles for its generous offer to provide a more appropriate permanent location to display the monolith of the Ten Commandments.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB01323-1
RGP
7/26/2001