RESOLUTION NO. 060724

Honoring J. Philip Kirk, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement from DST Systems, Inc. and his longstanding commitment to the revitalization of Downtown Kansas City.

WHEREAS, Phil Kirk, was born in Kansas City, and is a graduate of Southwest High School, the University of Kansas and Northwestern University Law School, but Phil's heart has always been in Downtown Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, under Phils leadership, and through a combination of innovative public/private financing historic rehabilitation and new construction, DST has developed an urban corporate campus across twenty blocks in the West Side of Downtown Kansas City that includes 38 buildings, 2.3 million square feet of office space, and 7,495 parking spaces; and

WHEREAS, Phil is committed to improving the urban and built environment, as well as enriching the community-at-large and his neighborhood. His initiative sparked the creation, development and growth of the not-for-profit campus on the West Side. This campus became the home of the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge, the Center for Practical Bioethics, the United Way and the YWCA. Phil has been honored for his dedication to his community by the Heart of America Boy Scouts, the American Cancer Society, and DeLaSalle Education Center among others; and

WHEREAS, Phil has always been a creative problem solver, and spearheaded the initiative to keep the Kansas City Library in the heart of Downtown by adaptively reusing the former First National Bank Building at the corner of Tenth and Baltimore and a key catalyst to the redevelopment of todays Library District; and

WHEREAS, in his consensus-building and team player philosophy, Phil says that Two plus two equals five if you have the right people working with you; and

WHEREAS, Phils humor is an expression of his openness and sincerity and evidences his commitment to the human qualities that he believes are so essential. Phil is also a devoted husband, father and grandfather and much respected for his devotion and support of his family and friends; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby extend to J. Philip Kirk, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement from DST, the heartiest best wishes for his future, together with their most sincere appreciation for his many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Kansas City and to DST; 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 J. Philip Kirk, Jr. in token of their respect and high regard and their very best wishes.

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