RESOLUTION NO. 160266

Celebrating and honoring 150 years of public health in Kansas City, Missouri.

WHEREAS, the beginning of public health services in Kansas City, Missouri can be traced to 1866, when the City appointed Dr. A.P. Languor as the first city physician to oversee the health of Kansas Citians; and

WHEREAS, the first city physician was instructed to take care of the sick and the poor, to stop the spread of disease through “pest houses” and the City Hospital, to recommend legislation to help safeguard the public’s health and to register births and deaths; and

WHEREAS, the first City hospital was created in 1869 at 22nd and McCoy Streets and the first board of health was created in 1880; and

WHEREAS, the City adopted the public health services standard food ordinance in 1944, rodent control in 1946 and swimming pool inspections and fly eradication in 1949; and

WHEREAS, the health department expanded its role and services in the 1960s and 1970s to help establish a public safety net of medical providers and focused on communicable disease prevention; and

WHEREAS, the Health Department continues to provide traditional public health services such as communicable disease prevention, childhood lead poisoning prevention, and immunization services and has expanded into emerging public health fields such as violence prevention and emergency public health preparedness; and

WHEREAS, the Health Department continues to break new ground as the only health department in the country to meet national accreditation, meet the nine Food and Drug Administration Standards for Food Safety and lead the community to win the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Culture of Health Prize”; NOW, THEREFORE;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby celebrate and honor 150 years of dedication to the health of our residents and visitors through the City’s public health programs; 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 the City of Kansas City, Missouri Health Department with the appreciation of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for all of its esteemed work and contributions.

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