Title
To recognize James L. Stowe in honor of his 15 years of service as executive director of the Columbus Community Relations Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, James L. Stowe has served as the executive director of the Columbus Community Relations Commission since its inception in 1992; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Community Relations Commission brings civic leaders, business leaders, citizens and elected officials together on issues of ethnic, racial and cultural diversity; and
WHEREAS, Director Stowe served a member of the United Way ACCORD Vision Council, which in partnership with the Columbus Dispatch and The Ohio State University Research Center developed the most comprehensive race relations survey for the Central Ohio area, and
WHEREAS, Director Stowe's work with the New American Initiative has provided immeasurable services and assistance to the refugee and immigrant communities in Columbus and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, Director Stowe's GTC3 show, "Community Tapestry" created an exceptional venue for the citizens of Columbus to learn more about community affairs in the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Director Stowe created a number of high quality impact programs for the community, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration sponsored by the City of Columbus and the Martin Luther King Civil Rights Heritage Bus Tour which retraces the steps of Dr. King and the heroes of the civil rights movement which is open to people of all ages, as well as creating a City of Columbus: Community Intervention Team, which mediates solutions between neighborhoods and law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Director Stowe serves as the President of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies an organization whose membership represents statutorily human and civil rights agencies around the world and is also a national board member and Past National President of the National Association of Human Right Workers; and
WHEREAS, Stowe will be leaving his post as executive director of the Columbus Community Relations Commission for a new opportunity to serve as the director for the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights in Montgomery County, Maryland; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council hereby expresses its appreciation for the outstanding contribution made by James L. Stowe for his 15 years of service as executive director of the Columbus Community Relations Commission.