Title
To Recognize and Congratulate Michael B. Coleman for Receiving the 2016 Ray Collier Special Recognition Award upon the Occasion of the 29th Annual Labor Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Body
WHEREAS, Michael B. Coleman graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1977 with a degree in Political Science and earned his law degree from the University of Dayton Law School in 1980. He holds honorary degrees from the Ohio State University and Capital University, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, Michael B. Coleman served as President of Columbus City Council from January of 1997 to November of 1999, and as a council member from February of 1992 to December of 1999; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Mike Coleman took the office of Mayor, and built Columbus’ reputation as one of the best cities in the nation by building stronger, safer neighborhoods, creating jobs and maintaining a high quality of life. Mayor Coleman is the longest-serving mayor in Columbus history and the longest-serving incumbent African-American mayor among major U.S. cities; and
WHEREAS, Michael B. Coleman has been recognized numerous times for his commitment to the Columbus community including receiving the Community Service Award from the Columbus Bar Association, the Public Servant Award from the Ohio Environmental Council, and the National Mayoral Inner City Leadership Award given by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. Columbus has also been recognized as one of the 10 best largest cities and one of the 10 most affordable metro areas by Relocate America. It was recognized as the nation’s eighth best place to live by CNN and Money magazine, which also declared Columbus as the nation’s safest big city; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2014, Coleman was recognized as one of the nation’s top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers by Government Technology Magazine. In November of 2014, Mayor Coleman was honored among the Ebony Power 100, Ebony’s list of the most influential and intriguing African Americans; and
WHEREAS, Michael B. Coleman was the recipient of the 2016 Ray Collier Special recognition award by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists at the 29th Annual Labor Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Brunch on Saturday, January 9th, 2016; and,
WHEREAS, Mike Coleman’s commitments to labor rights reflect the spirit of Martin Luther King Day, his contributions and achievements making him worthy of being a recipient of the 2016 Ray collier Special Recognition Award; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and congratulate Michael B. Coleman for receiving the 2016 Ray collier Special Recognition Award and thank him for his continued service and dedication to labor rights.