Below is a communication from the DNC Secretary Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake re our Convention and post-convention DNC meeting. I have also attached links to the 2016 Platform, Credentials & Resolutions Committee Reports, and the resolution that creates the Unity Reform Commission to address delegate selection issues for 2020 including Superdelegates, caucuses, and open primaries.
Democratic Party 2016 Platform (570.6 KiB, 1,639 hits)
2016 National Convention Credentials & Rules Reports (9.9 MiB, 1,627 hits)
2016 Unity Reform Commission Resolution (424.6 KiB, 1,521 hits)
DNC Meeting
On Friday, July 29th, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, DNC Secretary, formally passed the gavel to incoming interim DNC Chair, Donna Brazile, making her the 53rd Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Upon accepting the gavel, Chairwoman Brazile stated: “I can’t wait for that glass ceiling to come shattering down on Tuesday, November 8th. I cannot wait to hear the words, President-Elect Hillary Clinton.”
Vice-Presidential nominee and former DNC Chair, Senator Tim Kaine, made a surprise guest appearance and rallied Party Members to work hard and get out the vote, citing the stark choices we face this coming November. During the meeting, the incoming class of 2016-2020 DNC membership met for their first meeting of the term and elected Rep. Grace Meng to fill the current unexpired term of DNC Vice Chair, and also voted to official establish a new Disability Council so the Party can engage more deeply around issues facing disabled Americans.
Finally at the meeting, during her remarks Chairwoman Brazile referenced a statement on behalf of all officers and the DNC, apologizing to Senator Sanders and his supporters, DNC Members, donors, contributors and DNC Party stakeholders for emails that were released containing remarks from DNC officials regarding the campaign.
2016 Democratic National Convention
Our Party held an incredible Convention last week, where we nominated Secretary Hillary Clinton, making her the first woman to ever be nominated for President by any major Party! Our delegates also formally nominated Senator Tim Kaine as our Party’s Vice-Presidential nominee. Kicking off things last week on the first day of Convention, our Party also voted to adopt the most progressive platform in history. Other Convention highlights included speeches from Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. As she accepted the nomination for President on Thursday night, Secretary Clinton said, “America is great because America is good. Yes, the world is watching what we do. Yes, America’s destiny is ours to choose. So let’s be stronger together, my fellow Americans. Let’s look to the future with courage and confidence. Let’s build a better tomorrow for our beloved children and our beloved country. And when we do, American will be greater than ever.”
On the final day of Convention, DNC Officers jointly presented a resolution in which they recognized those who have made the historic 2016 Democratic National Convention a success. In this resolution, they thanked Mayor Jim Kenney and former Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, along with Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf, the 2016 Philadelphia Host Committee, and all of the federal, state and local law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders who “produced this wonderful and historic convention and most importantly have created a solid foundation for a Democratic victory in November 2016.” You can find a copy of that statement below.
Finally, on behalf of myself and my fellow officers, I’d like to extend a huge thanks to DNCC CEO and DNC Member, Rev. Leah Daughtry and her team on a job well done!
Lastly, thank YOU to all current and former DNC Members for the work you’ve done and the support you gave in making last week such a huge success! One need only look at the pictures from last week’s Convention to see the excitement and energy our Convention had compared to Cleveland.
Congratulations once again on your election to the Democratic National Committee for 2016-2020. With 98 days until Election Day, let’s work together with to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November!
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE HISTORIC 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION A SUCCESS
Whereas, individuals and organizations have given tirelessly, with boundless energy and enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to the huge undertaking of planning and organizing this historic convention; and
Whereas, the City of Philadelphia and its residents have been welcoming, warm and hospitable hosts; and
Whereas, the Honorable Jim Kenney, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia and the Honorable Michael Nutter, former Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, who led the successful bid to hold the 2016 Democratic National Convention in their “City of Brotherly Love,” have embraced the convention with great zeal; and
Whereas, the Honorable Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has brought the state together; and
Whereas, federal, state and local law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders, many of them union members, have selflessly worked to protect and keep safe the delegates and guests; and
Whereas, the 2016 Philadelphia Host Committee has organized, coordinated, fundraised and planned events so that all components of the convention would flow smoothly; and
Whereas, the thousands of volunteers have worked endless hours in a dedicated fashion to bring together a spirit and efficiency that is unparalleled;
Therefore be it Resolved, that the 47th quadrennial Democratic National Convention expresses its profound appreciation to the people who and the institutions that have produced this wonderful and historic convention and most importantly have created a solid foundation for a Democratic victory in November 2016.