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.

_______________________________________________________