It is in the direct interest of the citizens of Dane County, Wisconsin to oppose any federal government actions that actively or tacitly approve of the use of torture. Not only do Dane County residents serve in the U.S. armed forces, but any policy designed to dismantle long-standing moral and practical opposition to torture could soon reasonably be expected to make U.S. civilians, including Dane County residents, subjects of torture. A United States foreign and/or military policy that seeks to legitimize torture is a perilous erosion of American moral standing in the world, and an attack on human dignity.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors does hereby condemn the use of torture in any form, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors urges the prosecution of all parties, foreign or domestic, confirmed to be involved in torture, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors urges U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to clearly and publicly reject the use of torture, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors urges Dane County’s representatives in Congress to take an active role in monitoring and overseeing any programs or personnel of the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, White House, Bush Administration or any other U.S. government-sponsored entity that may be involved in interrogation or detention
of suspects, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Representative Tammy Baldwin, Senator Russell Feingold, Senator Herbert Kohl, the rest of the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, and President George W. Bush.