RESOLUTION NO. __________, SERIES 2026
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A RESOLUTION HONORING REV. DR. LEONARD RAMSEY BY NAMING THE CORNER OF DIXIE HIGHWAY AND GAULBERT AVENUE AS “REV. DR. LEONARD RAMSEY WAY” IN HIS HONOR.
BODY
SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER LYNINGER
WHEREAS, Metro Council considers the honorary naming of its streets after its citizens to foster a continued sense of community, place, and history; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Leonard Ramsey was born on November 21, 1934, in Whittaker, West Virginia to the late Rev. William and Willie Ramsey. He was married to Jean Ramsey for forty-five years, and they had four children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Ramsey was ordained under the leadership of the late Rev. R.E. Smith at the Greater Good Hope Baptist Church. During his tenure there, Rev. Dr. Ramsey served as youth president, coached the basketball team, and sat on the Church’s board as a trustee; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Ramsey founded the Greater First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church in 1968. His ministry at Greater First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church continued for forty-one years. During this time, Dr. Ramsey was recognized by the National Baptist Convention at the Baptist Unified Leadership Conference in 1973 as the Convention’s most progressive pastor. Dr. Ramsey earned his Doctorate in Divinity from Liberty University in 1978; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Ramsey’s ministry was connected to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. Dr. Ramsey marched alongside the late Dr. Alfred D. King, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Charles E. Kirby, and Dr. Charles Elliot, among others. His public life included supporting County Commissioner Darryl Owens’ historic campaign as the first African American candidate for Mayor of Louisville; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Ramsey’s accolades include being an Ambassador of Goodwill, the Distinguished Citizen Award, the Key to the City Award, and being a Kentucky Colonel.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: Rev. Dr. Ramsey’s dedicated service and commitment to Louisville Metro is hereby recognized by naming the corner of Gaulbert Avenue and Dixie Highway as “Rev. Dr. Leonard A. Ramsey Way”.
SECTION II: The Department of Public Works is hereby directed to move forward with the fabrication and installation of the honorary street signs upon the passage of this Resolution and the receipt of funds to cover the expense.
SECTION III: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval or otherwise becoming law.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Sonya Harward Brent Ackerson
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
________________________________ _____________________________
Craig Greenberg Approval Date
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
By: ________________________________
R-046-26 Honorary Naming Rev. Dr. Leonard Ramsey JDF 050526