January 20, 2021 WHEREAS, the nation has just celebrated and honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and prepares to inaugurate the 46th president and vice president of the United States, Joseph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris, and WHEREAS, the nation and world collectively witnessed the violence and fear that was engendered on January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol, underscoring the importance of the principles of finding common ground to solve problems, working together in good faith to forge solutions, and advancing the ideals of democracy, and WHEREAS, the ideals of democracy cannot endure in the presence of the ideology of white supremacy; these ideals aspire to lift up the voices of all, including those of people who have been overlooked, forgotten, excluded, and who are facing persistent t hreats to their lives and livelihoods, and WHEREAS, the U.S. faces the most dire global health emergency in 100 years, the worst economic crisis in modern history, a massive climate crisis, and a racial reckoning overdue for centuries, it is imperative that we work together to advance the democratic pro cesses that expedite solving these intractable challenges, and WHEREAS, the Adirondack North Country Association’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is foundational to achieving our vision of “An Economy that Works for All,” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Adirondack North Country Association reaffirms the core values that have underscored decades of our work with communities and the diversity of citizens across the region; these core values are INCLUSIVENESS — engaging a diverse set of partners; BELIEF IN DIALOGUE — facilitating shared strategies; and INTEGRITY — candor, accountability and reliance on facts and data to drive decisions. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Adirondack North Country Association invites our elected officials, other non-profits, municipal leadership, businesses and our partners in the region to join in this commitment to the principles of democratic ideals and to hold each other accountable.ANCA Board Resolution on Bridging Divisions and Working Together