March 13, 2012 - I applaud the City Council for their actions today and I look forward to signing this ordinance into law. I want to thank Councilman Ben Gray for his dedication and leadership in bringing this action forward, not once but twice, and for working with community leaders and his colleagues on the Council to find consensus for a final ordinance.
Omaha is a city that welcomes diversity, embraces fresh ideas, and is open for business to everyone. Allowing discrimination in our city is wrong-for our citizens and our businesses. With a robust local economy and an increasingly talented workforce, Omaha is well positioned to be one of the most vibrant and innovative cities of the 21st Century. However, in order to compete against similarly sized cities and attract talented workers to Omaha, we must make it clear that our doors are open to individuals of all backgrounds.
Omaha is famous for being a welcoming city that loves its neighbors and treats them with respect. By passing this ordinance, the City Council has made official what I’ve known all along-that Omaha is a city open to everyone.
