RESOLUTION NO. 090070

Declaring February 2009 as African American History Month in Kansas City, Missouri.

WHEREAS, the month of February is designated as African American History Month throughout the United States. It serves as a time to honor the history, lives, and contributions of African Americans, and to raise awareness and knowledge of the significance of the American experience; and

WHEREAS, this year, the theme of African American History Month is The Quest for African American Citizenship in the Americas. A century ago, an interracial group of Americans joined together and formed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and

WHEREAS, the story of the NAACP is the story of struggle to create and maintain equal citizenship for all Americans.  Through exposing the horrors of lynching, keeping the issue of equality before the courts, and organizing branches throughout the country, the NAACP drew a national following and inspired others to form organizations for racial change; and

WHEREAS, moving forward in 2009, we are being inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: To be a citizen is to be proud. It is to belong. As a citizen, you have rights. To be a citizen of the United States of America is to belong. In this country you have the power to change things. Sure there are faults, but united, we can change the future for the better. As citizens, we can make a difference; and

WHEREAS, this year American citizens elected their first American president of African descent which will mark a watershed in American history. Neither the founding fathers nor African slaves could have ever imagined a day when an African American man would hold the most exalted office in the nation; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby declare February, 2009 as African American History Month in Kansas City, Missouri; 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 African American History Committee with the Mayor and Council encouraging all citizens of Kansas City honor the history of African Americans in our country.

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