HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44

RECOGNIZING THE METROPOLITAN WILMINGTON URBAN LEAGUE FOR ITS 19 YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO COMBATING POVERTY, INEQUALITY, AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to promoting economic empowerment to improve the standard of living in historically underdeveloped urban communities; and

WHEREAS, between 1910 and 2010, the National Urban League expanded to 25 national programs, with more than 100 local affiliates in 35 states and the District of Columbia; and

WHEREAS, during the civil rights movement, the National Urban League worked closely with A. Phillip Randolph, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many other exceptional leaders; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League (referred to in this resolution as the “Urban League”) is a local affiliate of the National Urban League servicing Delaware for the past 19 years; and

WHEREAS, by promoting education, civic engagement, economic development, and civil justice, the Urban League has been a consistent advocate for improving the quality of life for struggling communities in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, since its inception in 1999, the Urban League has made tremendous gains in equality and empowerment in the African American community throughout Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the Urban League opened its doors to the public January 2000 under the leadership of the late Jim Gilliam Sr. and Dr. Tony Allen; and

WHEREAS, the Urban League employs a 5-point approach to increase the quality of life of people in Delaware, particularly African Americans; and

WHEREAS, the Urban League carries out the 5-point approach through programs such as “Education and Youth Empowerment”, “Economic Empowerment”, “Health and Quality of Life Empowerment”, “Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment”, and “Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment”; and

WHEREAS, through the Education and Youth Development division of the Urban League, programs such as “Achievement Matters” prepare students to transition from high school to college or to the workforce; and

WHEREAS, through the Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment division of the Urban League, programs such as the "James H. Gilliam Sr. Fellowship Program" emphasizes the importance of leadership and community through building the capacity of young policy makers, advocates, and community organizers; and

WHEREAS, throughout 19 years of service, the Urban League has assisted thousands of people in Delaware, especially African Americans, in combating poverty, inequality, and social injustice; and

WHEREAS, the community-based work of the Urban League is run by volunteer member auxiliaries such as the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League Young Professionals, targeted for professionals 21 to 40, and the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League Guild, targeted to professionals 41 and older; and

WHEREAS, the Urban League Young Professionals and the Urban League Guild have been pivotal in improving the lives of thousands of African Americans through civil rights, scholarship, leadership opportunities, and community-oriented programs, such as the "Community Organizing Training" program and "Kent Co. Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony", at times when these changes have been needed most; and

WHEREAS, the Urban League remains an essential organization in Delaware.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 150 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League is recognized for its 19 years of service and dedication to combating poverty, inequality, and social injustice within the State.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League for its 19 years of service and dedication to improving the quality of life for underserved communities in Delaware by promoting education, civic engagement, economic development, and civil justice.