Fiscal Note
In order to review and evaluate whether future City purchasing practices meet the conflict minerals prohibition standard, purchasing staff resources will need to be reallocated. No additional staff resources are currently envisioned, but there may be a need for additional purchasing staff resources in the future if the additional standard proves burdensome.
Title
Denouncing the use of minerals that fuel violence and favoring verifiably conflict-free products in City of Madison purchasing decisions.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has declared its commitment to human rights and social justice in its policies and has taken affirmative steps throughout its history to promote these values; and
WHEREAS, the United States Senate and the House of Representatives have found that armed groups bear responsibility for massive atrocities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; and
WHEREAS, the International Rescue Committee has found more than 5.4 million civilians have been killed and countless more remain at risk as a consequence of attacks conducted by armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; and
WHEREAS, armed groups generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year by trading in conflict minerals and operate with little accountability for perpetrating economic crimes and crimes against humanity; and
WHEREAS, legislation signed into law (Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010) requires that companies submit an annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing whether their products contain gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten from the Democratic Republic of Congo or an adjoining country; and
WHEREAS, University of Wisconsin-Madison students are actively involved in a growing movement for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - the Conflict-Free Campus Initiative - a nationwide campaign that focuses on building the consumer voice for conflict-free electronics, such as cell phones, laptops and other devices, that will not finance war; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison spends a significant amount of money each year on electronics products;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison will factor into future purchasing decisions whether electronic products contain conflict minerals and, when available, will favor verifiably conflict-free products or companies making greater progress toward this goal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Common Council of the City of Madison calls on electronics companies and other industries to take the necessary steps to invest in ethical mineral sourcing from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Madison calls on United States executive leadership in helping to establish an international certification system for minerals coming from central Africa to ensure they are not contributing to conflict.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City of Madison calls on United States executive leadership to support further efforts for lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including governance and justice reforms.