WHEREAS, the City of Tuskegee, Alabama, is celebrating the 143rd birthday of the late Booker Taliaferro Washington and, in recognition thereof, the Booker T. Washington family and members of the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Beta Xi Omega Chapter, among countless other individuals, will join together at the Tuskegee University Chapel to honor Mr. Washington on April 6, 1999; and
WHEREAS, born in Franklin County, Virginia, on April 5, 1856, Mr. Washington, who received his Master of Arts Degree from Harvard University, the first such degree presented to a Black man by a New England university, fought vigorously for what he believed was right and served with tireless devotion as founder of both the Tuskegee Normal School, now Tuskegee University, and National Negro Business League, and authorized the publication of the first edition of the Negro Year Book; and
WHEREAS, he was the recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the unveiling of the Booker T. Washington Memorial Monument, the issuing of the Booker T. Washington postage stamp, and the launching of the Booker T. Washington Liberty Ship; Mr. Washington also was elected to the New York University Hall of Fame for Great Americans and helped to close the bridge between the conflict of segregation and the promise of integration; and
WHEREAS, Tuskegee Institute became a National Historic Landmark on April 2, 1966, and, The Oaks, which was the family home of Booker T. Washington, was dedicated on March 29, 1981, offering programs and tours to appeal to individuals of all ages, including art, literature, and history, while disseminating knowledge and accomplishments of African-Americans such as the legendary Mr. Washington, who held a place of eminence in the field of education for Blacks; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That in recognition of the 143rd birthday of the late Booker Taliaferro Washington, and the worthwhile purposes its celebration serves, it is with great pleasure that we extend a warm and cordial welcome to those who come from far and near to attend, and direct that a copy of this resolution be provided to Robin Washington Banks, event coordinator, as an expression of our tribute and esteem and great anticipation of this special event.