On June 9th, 2020 Hood County Texas became a Sanctuary County for All Businesses. The Commissioners’ Court passed a resolution essentially declaring all businesses to be essential and declaring that the county will not abridge the freedom of their citizens to earn a living.
RESOLUTION
DECLARING HOOD COUNTY SANCTUARY COUNTY FOR ALL BUSINESSES
WHEREAS, Hood County, Texas, recognizes that the Constitution of the United States as well as the Constitution of the State of Texas enshrines certain rights of all Americans, including those fundamental liberty interests set forth in the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution that prohibits the state from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County recognizes that the US and Texas Declarations of Independence advance the “unalienable rights” of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the face of governmental overreach; and,
WHEREAS, each of the Hood County duly elected and appointed public servants took a sacred oath to preserve, protect and defend the US Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Texas; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County welcomes, honors and respects the contributions of all businesses and employees of said businesses, regardless of their size and regardless of whether they have been deemed “essential” by some government decree or not; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County’s diverse and entrepreneurial businesses positively contribute to the economic, cultural and social fabric of the County; and,
WHEREAS, all businesses in the County have not only been a catalyst for the County’s economic health, but have been the backbone of the County throughout its long history; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County businesses are socially responsible and are capable and willing to maintain effective health protocols to ensure that Hood County remains one of the strongest COVID-19 success stories in Texas; and,
WHEREAS, fostering a relationship of trust, respect and open communication between county officials and businesses is essential to the County’s mission of delivering effective public services in partnership with the community, thereby advancing a high quality of life for local residents; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County seeks to foster trust, not fear, between County officials and businesses and citizens, while properly allocating limited local resources and encouraging cooperation and open communication, to ensure public safety and due process for all, irrespective of business status; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County desires to demonstrate its commitment to its businesses and citizens by providing a safe community and by assuring them that, in accordance with federal and state laws and all state licensing authorities, the County will not of its own accord abridge such freedoms and rights; and,
WHEREAS, Hood County recognizes and honors the unalienable rights of individuals, as individuals, to earn a living, to employ others or be employed, to provide income for their families, to give back to the community, to treat neighbors with respect and care, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community, without the need for undue government overreach, coercion and control; and,
WHEREAS, on October 8, 2019, in this very Commissioners’ Court, Commissioner James Deaver put forth a motion to approve a Resolution Declaring Hood County to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary County which was seconded by Commissioner Eagle and was approved unanimously by this Commissioners’ Court and,
WHEREAS, the Hood County Commissioners’ Court understands, respects and has a duty to protect the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitutions.
THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that Hood County will, in accordance with state and federal law, and in order to properly allocate limited local resources and optimize cooperation and communication to ensure public safety and due process for all, irrespective of business status; recognize each business as essential to our local economy and,
Be it FURTHER RESOLVED that Hood County shall not, in accordance with state and federal law, take any direct action against any business or individuals based solely on their actual or perceived business status; and,
Be it FURTHER RESOLVED that Hood County recognizes that state and county authorities directly license, permit and regulate certain businesses within the county and nothing in this Resolution is intended to abridge such authorities from overseeing applicable license regulations and restraints, if any, on such businesses; and,
Be it FURTHER RESOLVED that, subject to the foregoing, Hood County hereby declares that Hood County is a Sanctuary County for all businesses and considers all businesses individuals essential.
Adopted this 9th day of June 2020.
