FILE NO. 071583 RESOLUTION NO.

1 [Resolution commending the US Women's Bridge Team winners of the and welcoming the American league to San Francisco for their 2007 National 2 Tournarnent.] 3

4 Resolution welcoming the American Contract Bridge League to San Francisco for the

5 National Tournament and Commending the US Women's Team winners of the Venice 6 Cup. 7

8 WHEREAS, The North American Bridge Championships will be held in San Francisco

9 from November 23 to December 1; and

10 WHEREAS, The USA 1 Women's Bridge Team, , ,

11 , , Hansa Narasimhan, JoAnna Stansby and won the Venice

12 Cup in Shanghai in October 12,2007; and,

13 WHEREAS, The team includes women who have been pioneers for gender equality in 14 I' bridge; and,

15 WHEREAS, The team held up a small sign at the Venice Cup awards ceremony

16 distancing themselves from the election of President Bush; and,

17 WHEREAS, On returning to the United States they have been accused of treason and

18 sedition; and,

19 WHEREAS, The United State Bridge Federation, heretofore USBF, is considering

20 sanctions against the seven women, including suspension of from federation events for one

21 year, community service, and an apology drafted by the federation's lawyer; and,

22 WHEREAS, Many of the women rely on bridge for their livelihood; and

23 WHEREAS, The USBF will be commencing a hearing on the matter Thursday,

24 November 29 in San Francisco; and

25

Supervisors Ammiano, Dufty, Mlrkarimi, Daly, McGoldrick OF SUPERVISORS Page 1 11/21/2007

k'etectronic (lUachments\ad1204D71D71S83\ras1.doc 1 WHEREAS, The New York Times Editorial Board has called "this sort of censorship

2 I un-American, unsporting and counterproductive"; and noted that, "it will only confirm the far- 'I 3 I, too-common belief that America is no longer committed to free speech - or fair play"; and, II 4 WHEREAS, Freedom of speech is a fundamental value of our City and central to

5 democracy; now, therefore, be it

6 RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Board of Supervisors welcomes the American

7 Contract Bridge League to San Francisco for the North American Bridge Championships;

8 and, be it

9 FURTHER RESOLVED, That we congratulate the USA 1 Team on their hard won

10 victory in the Venice Cup and their courage and patriotism in standing up for their convictions; 11 and, be it

12 FURTHER RESOLVED, That we declare November 29,2007 Gail Greenberg, Debbie

13 Rosenberg, Jill Levin, Irina Levitina, Hansa Narasimhan, JoAnna Stansby and Jill Meyers day

14 in San Francisco; and be it

15 FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call on the USBF to refrain from any sanctions

16 against the Venice Cup Women. 17

18 19

20

21

22

23

24

25

, Supervisors Ammiano, Dufty, Mirkarimi, Daly, McGoldrick i BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Page 2 11/21/2007

k'electrcnlc a!lachmenls\adt204Q7\01'1S83VBS1.doc City Hall City and County of San Francisco 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102-4689 Tails Resolution

File Number: 071583 Date Passed:

Resolution welcoming the American Contract Bridge League to San Francisco for the National Tournament and Commending the US Women's Team winners of the Venice Cup.

November 20, 2007 Board of Supervisors - ADOPTED Ayes: 10 - Alioto-Pier, Ammiano, Chu, Daly, Dufty, Elsbernd, Maxwell, McGoldrick, Peskin, Sandoval Absent: 1 - Mirkarimi

File No. 071583 I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was ADOPTED on November 20, 2007 by the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco.

Date Approved

City and County of San Francisco 1 Printed at 12:13 PM on 11/21/07