Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 3K views

    R2411903

    Uploaded by

    WVLT News
    16681_R2411903

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    R2411903

    Uploaded by

    WVLT News
    3K views4 pages
    16681_R2411903

    Original Title

    16681_R2411903

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    16681_R2411903

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    3K views4 pages

    R2411903

    Uploaded by

    WVLT News
    16681_R2411903

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    RESOLUTION

    A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSION


    OF KNOX COUNTY, TENNESSEE,
    EXPRESSING THE COMMISSION’S
    COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING
    THE INNOCENCE OF CHILDREN.

    RESOLUTION: R-24-11-903

    REQUESTED BY: COMMISSIONER LEE

    PREPARED BY: COMMISSIONER LEE

    APPROVED AS TO FORM
    BUT NOT AS TO
    SUBSTANCE:_______________________________
    DIRECTOR OF LAW

    APPROVED:________________________________
    DATE

    VETOED:__________________________________
    DATE

    VETO
    OVERRIDE:_______________________________
    DATE

    MINUTE
    BOOK______________PAGE__________________

    WHEREAS, Knox County, Tennessee has a charter form of government that


    affords broad powers, as explained in Article I-Powers and Functions, which includes the
    statement “Knox County Government shall exercise any power or perform any function
    which is not denied by the Constitution of the State of Tennessee;” and

    WHEREAS, Article II-Legislative Branch of the Knox County Charter states in Sec.
    2.01 the “legislative power of the County includes all lawful authority to adopt ordinances,
    emergency ordinances, and resolutions governing the operation of government or
    regulating the conduct and affairs of the residents of the county…;” and

    WHEREAS, community standards are a key component of the determination of


    obscenity in the United States, based upon Miller v. California, 413 US 15, 24-25 (1973) and
    other cases; and
    WHEREAS, the Knox County Board of Commissioners are the representatives of
    the residents of Knox County, and are empowered by law to establish what the prevailing
    standards are in the Knox County community with respect to what is suitable for taxpayer
    funded materials, activities, and events that include minors; and

    WHEREAS, the future of Knox County, Tennessee relies on the health and
    wellbeing of its children and young people; and

    WHEREAS, children are our greatest treasure, and our most vulnerable
    population. We must always weigh the risk of harm to minors in public policy decisions;
    and

    WHEREAS, we value integrity and excellence and will not trade the innocence of
    minors for other governmental goals; and

    WHEREAS, protecting the innocence of children should be an issue of concern for


    all adults; and

    WHEREAS, children are increasingly over-sexualized in our nation, state, and


    county; and

    WHEREAS, according to a recent Tennessee Department of Health report title


    “Sexual Violence” there were 1,798 counts of sexual assault victims in Knox County from
    2016 to 2020 with 944 of those cases (52.5%) being minors under the age of 18; and

    WHEREAS, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation the average age of


    a child sold for sex is 13 years old and human trafficking is the second-fasting growing
    criminal industry; and

    WHEREAS, the exposure to and normalization of sexualized behaviors reduces


    children’s inhibitions and ability to protect themselves from the sexual advances of others;
    and

    WHEREAS, children learn from observing and subsequently acting out the
    behaviors they have observed. Children who have observed sexualized behaviors or who
    have been the victim of sexual assault may act out with other children at home or school,
    which may lead to additional child victims; and

    WHEREAS, the normalization of sexualized conduct and materials to children is


    not in the long-term interest of children or society. Wholesome, good, and honorable
    matter and conduct should be promoted to children instead; and

    WHEREAS, in July 2024 the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    stated in Friends of George’s, Inc v Steven J. Mulroy, 108 F.4th 431, 438 (6th Cir. 2024),
    “there is no constitutional interest in exhibiting indecent material to minors;” and

    2
    WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated 7-51-1401 defines “adult entertainment,”
    “sexually-oriented material,” and “specified sexual activities;” and

    WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-901 defines “harmful to minors,”


    “matter,” “nudity,” “obscene,” “prurient interest,” and “sexual conduct;” and

    WHEREAS, Knox County is experiencing significant budget and debt challenges


    and taxpayer resources need to be prioritized for public safety, education, infrastructure,
    and other essential services.

    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF KNOX


    COUNTY AS FOLLOWS:

    The Knox County Board of Commissioners is committed to protecting the innocence


    of children, and to cultivating healthy children, families, communities, and institutions.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, no county staff or resources shall be allocated,


    directly or indirectly, to entertainment, materials, activities, matter, conduct, programs,
    events, content, or institutions which support, normalize, or encourage the harmful
    sexualization of minors as defined by Tennessee Code Annotated.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, taxpayer funded resources currently allocated to


    harmful materials, activities, and institutions engaging, directly or indirectly, in
    sexualization of children shall be reallocated to essential services including, but not limited
    to, public safety and infrastructure.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution applies to the extent that it does
    not conflict with Tennessee law.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board encourages individuals and communities


    to promote the good and the honorable to children rather than the normalization of
    harmful sexual behaviors, so to protect the health and wellbeing of our children and the
    future of our county.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution is to take effect from and after
    its passage, as provided by the Charter of Knox County, Tennessee, the public welfare
    requiring it.

    _________________________________________
    Presiding Officer of the Commission Date

    _________________________________________
    County Clerk Date

    3
    Approved:________________________________
    County Mayor Date

    Vetoed:__________________________________
    County Mayor Date

    You might also like