RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-1505

A resolution proclaiming March 23, 2011 as “John Lewis Day” in Davidson County.

WHEREAS, on November 17, 2010, President Barack Obama named Congressman John Lewis as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor; and,

WHEREAS, the Presidential Medal of Freedom will be presented to Congressman Lewis at a White House ceremony in early 2011; and,

WHEREAS, Congressman Lewis is a graduate of Nashville’s Fisk University and American Baptist College; and,

WHEREAS, Congressman Lewis began his extensive record of working for civil and human rights in Nashville; and,

WHEREAS, from 1963 to 1966, Lewis was named Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which was largely responsible for organizing student activism in the Civil Rights Movement, including sit-ins and other activities; and,

WHEREAS, at the age of 23, Lewis was a keynote speaker at the historic March on Washington in August 1963; and,

WHEREAS, in 1965, Lewis led the Selma to Montgomery march to petition for voting rights, which helped hasten the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and,

WHEREAS, Lewis has served as U.S. Representative of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District since 1987; and,

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council proclaim March 23, 2011, as “John Lewis Day” in Davidson County.

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

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as proclaiming March 23, 2011, as “John Lewis Day” in Davidson County.

Section 2. 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: Lonnell Matthews, Ronnie Steine, Megan Barry, Vivian Wilhoite, Sandra Moore, Frank Harrison, Edith Taylor Langster, Sean McGuire, Walter Hunt, Erica Gilmore, Bo Mitchell, Sam Coleman, Jerry Maynard

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	January 4, 2011
Adopted:	January 4, 2011
Approved:	January 5, 2011
By: