Resolution Approving an Honorary Street Name Change for Evangelist Georgia A. King WHEREAS, from time to time, the Memphis City Council has seen fit to name certain public roads to honor citizens who have served this community; and WHEREAS, Evangelist Georgia A. King is one such exemplary citizen who is worthy of our recognition for her numerous contributions to not only the Memphis Community but our entire nation as she challenged the status quo of the treatment of the homeless and mental il; and WHEREAS, Evangelist King is an outstanding individual who has dedicated her life to helping athers, a journey that began during the 1960s when she became engaged in the Civil Rights Movement and has spanned ‘more than five decades and includes her leading the Southern contingency of the New Exodus Walkers in 1989 as they marched from Roanoke, Virginia to Washington, D.C. for 255 plus miles to make the plight of the homeless a priority in Congress; and WHEREAS, a long-time resident of Memphis, Georgia King Is known throughout the city for her passion, intelligence and inspiring attitude which is attributed to her motto, “I've got to keep moving,” which she does as she works with numerous volunteers weekly to feed the homeless and hand out food to needy families; and WHEREAS, affectionately known as Mother King, this selfless volunteer took Dr. King’s words, “Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper,” to heart and found her voice to rally people to the cause and effectuate positive change; and WHEREAS, Georgia King has spent her life being a voice for the mast vulnerable within our community and working for equal rights for all as she has worked with the Convoy of Hope, National Coalition for the Homeless and serves as president of Operation Move Forward Neighborhood Association; and. WHEREAS, this lifelong public servant and grassroots leader Is a recipient of several awards including the National Rosa Parks Award, the Tri-State Defender’s Legend's Award, the Women of Excellence Award and the Women of Achievement Award; and WHEREAS, not only is Mother King a dedicated community activist and advocate for civil rights and social justice, she is the mother of two daughters and has eight grandchildren and eight ereat-grandchildren; and WHEREAS; it is fitting and proper that Evangelist King, dedicated community leader and civil rights pioneer be honored for her outstanding commitment to her community and fellow man. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the Memphis City Council hereby dedicates Poplar Avenue between Orleans and Ayers as “Evangelist Georgia A. King Avenue” in honor of Mother Georgia A. King. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the City Engineer is requested to affix suitable signs designating such public road. ADOPTED: December 16, 2014 Be OR ie A. Harris Councilman | |