WHEREAS, African American History Month was introduced in February 1926 by Carter G. Woodson to illuminate the African American experience and its unique and rich history; and

WHEREAS, this year has special meaning as 2010 marks the Centennial Anniversary of the National Urban League, a historic civil rights organization founded in September 1910 in New York City dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities; and

WHEREAS, the organization spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, and today, it operates more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide; and

WHEREAS, in light of the theme for 2010 African American History Month – “The History of Black Economic Empowerment” – it is fitting to highlight the contributions of the National Urban League and its 100-year history; and

WHEREAS, with leaders like Ruth Standish Baldwin, Dr. George Edmund Haynes, Eugene K. Jones, Lester Granger, Whitney Young, Hugh Price, and currently Marc Morial, this organization spearheaded historic movements and pushed against all odds to uplift African Americans to become landowners, skilled workers, professionals, ministers, and small businessmen and women who started insurance companies, vocational schools, teachers colleges, cosmetic firms, banks, newspapers and magazines, and hospitals; and

WHEREAS, today the League is organized to ensure the education of all children by providing access to early childhood literacy, after-care programs and college scholarships; invest in the financial literacy and employability of adults through job training, homeownership and entrepreneurship; promotes community wellness through a focus on prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and access to affordable healthcare; encourage all people to take an active role to improve quality of life through participation in community service projects and public policy initiatives; and guarantee equal participation in all facets of American society through proactive public policies and community-based programs; and

WHEREAS, the Village of South Holland’s Board of Trustees and Administration acknowledges the notable leadership and contributions of the National Urban League, and during African American History Month, the entire South Holland community is encouraged to join the Board and Administration in acknowledging the 100-year history of the National Urban League and to pay tribute to the noble struggle of African Americans for equality in society and the advancement of civil rights for all Americans.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, DON A. DE GRAFF, in acknowledgment of the myriad contributions that National Urban League and African Americans have made for the betterment of our country, take this means on behalf of the President and Board of Trustees, to hereby proclaim February 2010 as “African American History Month” in the Village of South Holland.