RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-909

A resolution recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

WHEREAS. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the oldest and largest grassroots-based civil rights organization in the United States, was founded February 12, 1909, by a diverse multi-racial group of activists from varying political and religious backgrounds, including Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard, and William English Walling, all of whom were committed to the common cause of social justice; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the NAACP is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination, and remains relevant today due to the continuing disparities in housing, health care, opportunities in the workplace, and elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, celebrating its centennial year, the NAACP takes great pride in advancing its mission through reliance upon the legal system, the press, the petition, the ballot, and the courts, successfully utilizing the legislative system and moral persuasion. Although faced with overt and violent racial hostility, the members of the NAACP have worked to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic rights guaranteed to all persons; and

WHEREAS, the sustained efforts of the NAACP led to desegregation of America's public schools, our military, public places of accommodation, and election to public office, and put an end to the horrific practice of lynching of African Americans and other hate crimes; and

WHEREAS, more than 1,700 NAACP units in the United States, Italy, Germany, and Japan are the life-blood of the Association, acting as grassroots "freedom fighters" in their communities; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP played a prominent role in lobbying Congress for the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964; the Voting Rights Act of 1965; the Fair Housing Act of 1968; and the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, laws that ensured legislative protection for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the NAACP have improved the quality of life for African Americans, as well as for all Americans, and fosters a lasting progressive spirit in this Nation; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes the numerous contributions of the NAACP and to celebrate their 100 years of civil rights advocacy.

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 recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Marilyn Robinson on behalf of the NAACP.

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: Vivian Wilhoite, Pam Murray, Jerry Maynard, Sandra Moore, Edith Taylor Langster, Karen Bennett, Lonnell Matthews

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	September 1, 2009
Adopted:	September 1, 2009
Approved:	September 3, 2009
By: