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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution celebrates Utah's rich history as a welcoming state for individuals
11 fleeing persecution.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ celebrates Utah's history of welcoming refugees.
15 Special Clauses:
16 None
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18 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
19 WHEREAS, as of 2023, the United Nations estimates there were over 36 million
20 refugees in the world, more than at any other time since World War II, and nearly half of these
21 refugees are children;
22 WHEREAS, refugees are people displaced from their home country who are unable to
23 return to that country due to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, nationality,
24 religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular group;
25 WHEREAS, the United States participates in a resettlement program that is critical to
26 global humanitarian efforts and reflects the United States' values, strengthens global security,
27 and alleviates some of the burden placed on frontline host countries;
28 WHEREAS, refugees who enter the United States are among the most vetted
29 individuals to enter this country and are subject to extensive screening checks including
30 in-person interviews, biometric and biographic data checks, multiple interagency checks, and
31 medical screenings;
32 WHEREAS, once refugees resettle in the United States, refugees contribute to their
33 new communities by starting businesses, paying taxes, and sharing their cultural traditions;
34 WHEREAS, these new residents are workers, students, entrepreneurs, parents,
35 neighbors, and community leaders who contribute more than they consume in state-funded
36 services, including schooling and healthcare;
37 WHEREAS, Utah boasts a rich history of multicultural blending, dating back tens of
38 thousands of years when the first people lived within the boundaries of the state, continuing
39 into the 1700s when explorers from Spain and France ventured into the region, and later, when
40 pioneers settled in Utah, it became a haven for those seeking religious freedom and an escape
41 from persecution;
42 WHEREAS, over the years, the state has continued to be a beacon of welcome for
43 families and individuals fleeing violence, with an acknowledgment of at least 106 different
44 languages spoken by families throughout the state;
45 WHEREAS, refugees contribute enormously to Utah's economy as members of the
46 workforce, as homeowners, as business owners and entrepreneurs, as taxpayers, as consumers,
47 and as essential workers filling gaps in Utah's workforce shortage and strengthening the local
48 economy; and
49 WHEREAS, the Legislature of the state of Utah has affirmed its support for refugee
50 families in bipartisan, unanimous legislation in 2021, 2022, and 2023:
51 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
52 Governor concurring therein, celebrates Utah's history as a welcoming state for refugee
53 families.
54 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor declare their
55 support for the resettlement of refugees in Utah and call upon other local governments and
56 communities to join in supporting a strong national effort to resettle the world's most
57 vulnerable refugees.