Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Marion Barry Resolution of 2014
Marion Barry Resolution of 2014
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
________________________________
Councilmember Vincent B. Orange, Sr.
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
__________
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
__________________
To recognize and honor the contributions of Marion S. Barry, Jr., whose life is a testament to
public service;
20
WHEREAS, Marion S. Barry, Jr. (Mayor Barry) was born March 6, 1936, in Itta Bena,
21
Mississippi, the son of a sharecropper and raised by his beloved mother, Mattie Carr, in
22
Memphis, Tennessee;
23
24
WHEREAS, Mayor Barry earned a bachelors degree in 1958 from Le Moyne College
and in 1960 received his masters degree in chemistry from Fisk University;
25
26
WHEREAS, in 1960, at the age of 24, Mayor Barry became the first chairman of the
nationally recognized civil-rights group Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC);
27
28
29
30
31
WHEREAS, in 1971, Mayor Barry joined forces with forces with Presidentially-
32
appointed Mayor Walter Washington and Rev. Walter Fauntroy to lead the famous Free DC
33
Movement for home rule, winning the support of Congress and the President;
34
WHEREAS, in 1971, Mayor Barry won a seat on the District of Columbia school board;
35
WHEREAS, in 1972, Mayor Barry was unanimously elected as President of the District
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Program (SYEP), which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, and has created jobs for
43
44
45
46
47
WHEREAS, in 1982, Mayor Barry wins his second mayoral race, recording an
overwhelming 82 percent of the vote in the general election;
WHEREAS, in 1986, Mayor Barry is elected to a third consecutive term as Mayor of the
District of Columbia;
48
49
50
51
(now Wizards) to the District of Columbia with the building of the MCI Center (now Verizon
52
Center);
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
WHEREAS, in 1997, Mayor Barry fought against the closure of the University of the
District of Columbia;
WHERAS, in 1999, Mayor Barry leaves the mayoral post at the culmination of his four
year term;
WHEREAS, Mayor Barry was elected as Ward 8 Councilman in 2004, and dutifully
served in that position until his untimely death;
WHEREAS, unfortunately, on November 23, 2014 at the age of 78, Mayor Barry died
and is survived by his wife, Cora Masters Barry, and his son, Marion Christopher Barry;
WHEREAS, Mayor Barrys programs helped provide summer jobs for youths, homebuying assistance for working-class residents and food for senior citizens;
63
64
upper-level management positions in the city government that in previous generations they had
65
66
WHEREAS, Mayor Barry is rightfully credited with changing the Districts political
67
landscape in the final quarter of the 20th century, not only serving four terms as Mayor but also
68
69
WHEREAS, Mayor Barry served as a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., for 59
70
years, remained steadfast in his devotion to the aims of the fraternity; manly deeds, scholarship
71
and love for all mankind, and in sweet rest will continue to uphold the light;
72
WHEREAS, Mayor Barry, through his compassion, leadership, activism and advocacy
73
has made a positive impact on the District of Columbia and its residents, has improved the
74
quality of life in the District and leaves a legacy of love that will never be forgotten by the
75
76
77
78
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Marion S. Barry,
79
Jr. for his nearly fifty years of outstanding contribution and invaluable service to the District of
80
81
82
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in
the District of Columbia Register.