Title
To commemorate, honor and celebrate the work of Jim Driggs and his 20 years of service as the President of the South High Alumni Organization.
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WHEREAS, the City of Columbus and the members of Columbus City Council are proud to honor and celebrate the legends, legacies, and trailblazers of this community as they represent the prosperity and the transformational leadership that has come to define the tradition of excellence in our community; and
WHEREAS, Jim Driggs a quintessential Columbus Southsider was born and raised on the south side of Columbus, where he has spent more than 68 years learning, living, and loving the life style and values of the Southside of Columbus; Jim is a person rooted in tradition, having a common respect for the people, places, and personalities of this unique part of Columbus - He has lived on the Southside his entire life and considers it his lifetime privilege to be a part of a dynamic community filled with history and potential; he was raised in a family that struggled with the most basic needs of housing, food, and preparation for the future - However, he was surrounded by an extended family of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends, and organizational support including church members, service organizations, and informal adult mentors who invested in the lives of young people - These people and organizations invested in his future with no expectation of self-enrichment and these values made a lasting impression on him; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950s and 60s, many adults on the Southside of Columbus invested in the future of young people - The Southside YMCA, the informal network of Protestant churches, the Southside Lions Club, and countless fraternal organizations provided direct and indirect support for the children of the Southside - Jim was involved in organizations like church youth groups, athletic teams, boy scouts, paper routes, and informal hot rod groups that helped young people develop skills and character; and
WHEREAS, Jim never became rich, however he created a trail of successful life-long friendships and commitments to causes leaving a legacy of the educational and quality-of-life values reflecting South High School via the South High School Alumni Association - His small businesses over the last four decades have combined the metal working skills that he learned in high school with a persistence for being an independent businessperson; and
WHEREAS, for some, high school memories are abstract recollections of by-gone eras that linger as nice recollections that only exist in the vacuum of time - For others, high school memories are life-changing events that shape lives - Jim chose the later - He committed nearly 20 years of his life to building an alumni organization that respects the values of an educational institution that reflects the priorities of our community - The alumni association, now with more than 500 members, honors the lifetime memories people have regardless of when they attended South High School - He was the primary catalyst for the development of the South High School Alumni Association serving as its president for nearly 20 years -He resigned his office this year, opening the door of new ideas and energy, however leaving a legacy of accomplishment - Under his leadership, the organization provided more than 60 young people with college scholarships, sponsored nearly 20 years of Oldies Dances, underwrote 18 consecutive annual picnics/car shows for the South High School Alumni, donated to various clubs, sponsored a host of activities at South High School, and provided support through booster club activities, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby commemorate, honor and celebrate the exemplary work of Jim Driggs and his 20 years of service as the president of the South High Alumni Organization and thank him for making the Southside of Columbus stronger.