RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-188

WHEREAS, Fisk University of Tennessee, a historically black liberal arts university, was founded in 1866 and established by John Ogden, the Reverend Erastus Milo Cravath, and the Reverend Edward P. Smith, and named in honor of General Clinton B. Fisk; and

WHEREAS, under the astute leadership of President Hazel R. O’Leary, Fisk University continues to be a mainstay of excellence in academics and molding young minds into the scholars and leaders of tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, through a steadfast commitment to educational excellence by faculty members and administration, Fisk University has achieved outstanding academic success and has produced some of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country, including graduating more African Americans that go on to earn PHD’s in the natural sciences than any other institution in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Fisk alumni have been among America's intellectual, artistic, and civic leaders in every generation since the founding of Fisk University and among them are W. E. B. DuBois, the great social critic and cofounder of the NAACP, and the distinguished artist of the Harlem Renaissance, Aaron Douglas, who taught at Fisk; and today's distinguished alumni also include poet Nikki Giovanni, , two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Levering Lewis former U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel Reid O'Leary, now serving as President and many other distinguished and notable alumni; and

WHEREAS, Fisk University features the world-famous Fisk Jubilee Singers, originally a group of traveling students who set out from Nashville to earn enough money to save the school and raise sufficient funds to build the first permanent structure in the country solely built for the education of newly-freed slaves, the renowned and recently-restored Jubilee Hall, the oldest, and most distinctive, structure of Victorian architecture on the 40 acre Fisk campus; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Fisk University graduates exercise qualities of leadership, citizenship, and collaborative spirit, in helping sustain and make better the communities, careers, and endeavors in which they strive; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes Fisk University for its commitment to academic excellence as we declare March 19, 2008, as Fisk University Day in Nashville, Tennessee.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as to recognize and declare Fisk University Day in Nashville, Tennessee on March 19, 2008.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to President Hazel R. O’Leary.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Erica Gilmore

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	March 4, 2008
Adopted:	March 4, 2008
Approved:	March 12, 2008
By: