RESOLUTION NO. 030541
Declaring Saturday, May 3,
2003, as Heritage Community Day, and honoring the Grand Marshals magnificent
contributions to the parade.
WHEREAS, FOCUS
Kansas City, the Citys long-range, comprehensive plan calls for connective
links between the predominantly Hispanic Westside and the largely African
American Jazz District, along a corridor between the two; and
WHEREAS, the
Citys FOCUS staff with the American Jazz Museum, the Guadalupe Center and
other organizations is sponsoring a parade along the corridor; and
WHEREAS, the
theme of the parade for 2003 is Celebrate the Childand will honor members of
our community who have made important contributions to the lives of Kansas Citys
children; and
WHEREAS, there
are a number of Senior Grand Marshals of the parade who have paved the way for
a better life for the Citys youth, including Claude Fiddler Williams a
legendary musician, Irene Ruiz, literacy advocate, Tony Aguirre, athletics
advocate, and Mamie Hughes, public servant, and Buck ONeil, Kansas City
Monarchs and Negro League Baseball Fame; and
WHEREAS, there
will be also a number of esteemed Grand Marshals for this parade, including
Senator Charles Wheeler, former mayors Richard Berkley and Emanuel Cleaver II,
Senator Mary Groves Bland, Dr. Bernard Taylor, superintendent of the Kansas
City, Missouri School District, Dwayne Crompton, executive director of early
childhood education services at KCMC Child Development Centers,Bird Fleming,
teacher of African drumming and dancing to area youth, Maria Chaurand, Director
of El Groupo Atotonilco Folklorico, Rachel Ramirez, mom to most of the
Westsides children, Uzziel Hernandez Pecina, educator, and well known performer
of Latin folkloric music, Alonzo and Dana Washington, renowned community
activists and creators of Omega 7 products for children, and Sisters Berta
Sailer and Corita Bussanmas, childcare, education and child advocacy providers
for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, there
are also a number of outstanding young Kansas Citians to be honored as Junior
Grand Marshals, including Yesenia Vanessa Ayala, Rodney Fisher, Alfredo
Rodriguez, Aaron Wedgeworth, David Valdiviez, Yvonne Muse-Davis, Priscilla
Ayala, Janelle Harrison, Camisha Henderon and Edwin Robinson; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor
and Council hereby declare Saturday, May 3, 2003, as Heritage Parade Day; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED THAT THIS Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in
testimony thereof and that copies hereof be presented to the Grand Marshals of
the parade with the appreciation of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas
City for their magnificent contributions to the community.
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