RESOLUTION NO. 050899
Recognizing
Edgar Snow on the 100th year anniversary of his birthday for his
many contributions to his country, our city and for promoting international
cultural understanding.
WHEREAS, Edgar Snow
(1905-1972) was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but it was on the other side of
the globe that he found his destiny; and
WHEREAS, after
journalism studies at the University of Missouri, Edgar crossed the Pacific,
saw China and stayed for thirteen years, witnessing and reporting on the
tumultuous years of social upheaval; and
WHEREAS, in 1936,
Edgar undertook the dangerous crossing of military lines to reach the Chinese
territory controlled by the Red Army and Mao Tse-tung where he spent five
months with the future leaders of China eventually culminating in the book, Red
Star Over China; and
WHEREAS, Edgar
believes that the honest exchange of ideas among people lead to mutual
understanding and respect; and
WHEREAS, the
University of Missouri-Kansas City continues Snows legacy and has established
the Edgar Snow Memorial Fund which has compiled Snows writings, photographs,
films and mementos and makes these and other materials relating to 20th
century China available to researchers around the world; and
WHEREAS, UMKC also
hosts Chinese visiting scholars to a semester of exchange and collaboration in
Kansas City each year and Edgar Snow travel delegations frequent China; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and
Council hereby recognize Edgar Snow on the 100th year anniversary of
his birthday for his many contributions to his country, our city and for
promoting international cultural understanding; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in
testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Bob Gamer and Joyce
Cox in token of the appreciation by the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for bringing the culture of the Chinese to the community.
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