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To honor, recognize and celebrate the life of former Columbus City Council President Jerry Hammond and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing Wednesday, August 25, 2010.
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WHEREAS, Jerry Hammond was born Charles G. Hammond on May 29, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hammond began his career in the 1960's, starting as a Supervisor of Cottage Life at the Training Institute of Central Ohio, a Neighborhood Youth Counselor for the City of Columbus, the Manpower Coordinator for the Columbus Metropolitan Area Community Action Program, the Executive Director of Plans for Progress with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and an Employee Relations Specialist for Columbus Southern Power; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970's, Mr. Hammond served as the Bureau Chief for the Ohio Department of Economic and Community Development, and then returned Columbus Southern (American Electric Power) as Director of Civic Affairs and later as Executive Assistant to the President for eight years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hammond joined Columbus City Council on June 11, 1974, became the first African American Council President on January 2, 1984, and remained President until he resigned in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hammond's many accomplishments at City Council include the creation of the Council's Legislative Research Office, the Neighborhood Commissions, the Cable Television Task Force, the Metropolitan Human Service Commission, and the Community Shelter Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hammond was a passionate and dedicated visionary who helped build stronger neighborhoods and economic growth through the creation of the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program, the small business loan program that led to economic development in the Short North and other areas of the city; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hammond worked diligently to deliver crucial social services to Columbus residents, serving as a leader on community issues and funding campaigns for the arts, the Central Ohio Transit Authority, Columbus Public Schools and developed initiatives in education, human services and minority affairs; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Mr. Hammond founded Hammond and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in community and public affairs, community relations, government relations and marketing communications, serving as President until his retirement at the end of 2006; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hammond served on many boards and commissions during his distinguished career including the Ohio Environmental Board of Review, Rickenbacker Port Authority, Franklin County Commission on Aging, Franklin County Children Services, Ameriflora, the United Way and the National Urban Policy Roundtable, receiving more than 200 community service awards and achievements; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his civic contributions and lifetime of service to the city, the City of Columbus honored him by dedicating The Jerry Hammond Center, 1111 East Broad Street on September 19, 2007 and the building now serves as home to many city departments including the 311 Call Center, the Recreation and Parks Department, and the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Hammond, with his infectious smile and engaging manner devoted his adult life to a remarkable series of accomplishments for Columbus and its residents, a key to his success was always the depth and sincerity of his personal friendships with people throughout the city whose presence he greatly enjoyed and opinions he sought as a mentor or friend, he left an indelible impression and enriched the lives of even casual acquaintances; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor, recognize and celebrate the life of former Columbus City Council President Jerry Hammond, an outstanding public servant and leader in our community and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife, Mary Jo, children Gerry and Charlene, grandchildren Christopher, Chad and Jaden, family and friends on the occasion of his passing.