Title
Proclamation Declaring May 22, 2014 as Harvey Milk Day. (City Manager)
Body
Whereas, Harvey Milk was born on May 22, 1930 in Woodmere, New York; and
Whereas, Harvey Milk moved to San Francisco in 1972, where he opened a camera shop, immersed himself in the community, and organized the first Castro Street Fair in 1974; and
Whereas, Harvey Milk, the self-proclaimed "Mayor of Castro Street," focused his career on building strong city neighborhoods and making government responsive to individuals as well as gay liberation groups; and
Whereas, in 1977 Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man to hold a public office when San Francisco District 5 voters elected him to the Board of Supervisors; and
Whereas, during his 11 months as a San Francisco Board Supervisor, Harvey Milk was responsible for passing a landmark gay rights ordinance which outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation; and
Whereas, in August 2009, in recognition of his contribution to the gay civil rights movement, Harvey Milk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and
Whereas, on October 11, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger officially instituted May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in the State of California; and
Whereas, for the past four years the City of Alameda has recognized Harvey Milk Day by holding community-wide celebrations, and will continue to do so with the "Spirit of Hope" themed celebrations scheduled between May 21 and May 31, 2014.
Now, therefore be it resolved, that I, Marie L. Gilmore, Mayor of the City of Alameda do hereby proclaim May 22, 2014 as Harvey Milk Day in the City of Alameda and call upon all residents to join me in recognizing the courage, conviction, and accomplishments Harvey Milk showed in making a positive change in civil rights for the gay community as a well as society as a whole.
Marie L. Gilmore
Mayor