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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