2009/03/10 City Council Resolution 2009-19RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -19
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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
Commending the
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE NAACP AND ITS SANTA ROSA- SONOMA COUNTY CHAPTER
WHEREAS, in February 2009, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP) will celebrate a 100 year journey as the nation's oldest, largest, and most effective civil rights
advocacy organization — a legacy that has forever changed the landscape of American history; and
WHEREAS, for 100 years, the NAACP's collective courage of people of all races, nationalities, and
faiths united on one premise: that all men and women are created equal. The Association continues to be
at the forefront of issues paramount to our communities. The NAACP's efforts have led to the launch of
new initiatives and programs aimed at eliminating disparities in education, economic development,
healthcare, and technology. Within Sonoma County, the efforts of O. Platt Williams (founding President
in 1953) helped to monitor home buying for prospective African Americans and Melva Joy Patillo
(Beals) was brought to Santa Rosa for personal safety from her participation as one of the "Little Rock
Nine" black students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957); and
WHEREAS, despite violence, oppression, trauma, intimidation, and hostile government policies, the
nation's beacon for social justice and its grass -roots base of members has persevered; and
WHEREAS, the NAACP's most courageous moments have involved everyone from school children to
laborers to professionals to presidents to just ordinary men and women who decided to champion what's
right and just; and
WHEREAS, from the ballot box to the classroom, the dedicated workers, organizers, and leaders who
forged this great organization and maintain its social justice, fought long and hard to ensure that the
voices of African Americans would be heard; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Rosa - Sonoma County Chapter of the NAACP works within the mission of its
charter to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to
eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Rohnert Park recognizes, acknowledges, and
extends its best wishes for the NAACP's Centennial Celebration and commends the Santa Rosa- Sonoma
County Chapter's membership for 56 years of courage and commitment to voter empowerment, political
awareness, and the fulfillment of `all peoples' freedom, justice, and equality in Rohnert Park.
DULYAND REGULARLYADOPTED this 1
ITY OF ROHNERT PARK
c /J
Arnie Breeze, Mayor
.TTEST:
BELFORTE: AYE CALLINAN: AYE MACKENZIE: AYE STAFFORD:'AYE BREEZE:
AYES: (5) NOES: (0) ABSENT: (0) ABSTAIN: (0)
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