RESOLUTION NO. __________, SERIES 2021
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A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LEGACY OF MR. EDGARDO MANSILLA BY DEDICATING THE INTERSECTION OF WEST KENWOOD WAY AND SOUTHSIDE DRIVE AS “MR. EDGARDO MANSILLA WAY” IN HIS HONOR.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER NICOLE GEORGE
WHEREAS, Mr. Edgardo Mansilla was born in 1953;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla is native of Buenos Aires, Argentina and came to Louisville in 1990 on a scholarship to study social work;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla studied at the International Theological Baptist Seminary, in Buenos Aires, receiving a bachelor’s and a Licentiate in Theology and a Master’s in Social Work at the Carver School of Social Work;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla grew in his profession and went on to teach at the International Baptist Seminary, Carver School of Social Work, Bellarmine University and Simmons College;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla is currently a part-time professor at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla founded Americana Community Center in 1993 and he has been the Executive Director at Americana ever since;
WHEREAS, Americana Community Center is in the Southside neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky located at 4801 Southside Drive;
WHEREAS, Americana Community Center is a non-profit servicing the refugee, immigrant, and underserved populations, specifically living in or near the Southside neighborhood;
WHEREAS, Under Mr. Mansilla’s leadership, Americana Community Center has grown to provide programs for more than 5,000 people from over 100 countries each year;
WHEREAS, Americana Community Center provides holistic services to build strong and healthy families, create a safe and supportive community, and help every individual realize their potential;
WHEREAS, Americana’s programs include summer and afterschool programs for youth, family education and coaching; adult education including citizenship, technology, and English as a Second Language; health and wellness; workforce development; and community building including a garden that feeds over 120 families;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla received the Lee Webb Award from the Louisville Bar Association in 2016 for excelling in educating the next generation around social justice and community action;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla was named one of the 48 Most Influential People in the Louisville area by Louisville Magazine in 2015;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla received the Black Lives Matter Award from the Kentucky Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression in 2015;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame for Kentucky Civil Rights in 2012;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla received the Mosaic Award from Jewish Family and Vocational Services in 2009 which was issued to an outstanding immigrant and/or refugee citizen of the Louisville Metro Area;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla was awarded the Art of Leadership Award from the Center for Non-Profit Excellence in 2005;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla received the Outstanding leadership in a Non-Profit Field - Charles Weisberg Humanitarian Award from the National Council of Christians & Jews in 1996 which is awarded annually to one person for remarkable contributions across barriers for humanitarian efforts;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla continues to tirelessly advocate for immigrants, refugees, and the underserved population in Louisville;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla has shown an immense sacrifice and service to participants of Americana Community Center;
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla has so willingly given to Americana’s participants and to the great City of Louisville over the years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mansilla has shown unceasing passion, his giving heart, his caring leadership, immutable public advocacy, and boundless energy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: That Mr. Edgardo Mansilla’s service to Louisville Metro be honored with an honorary street sign for the intersection of West Kenwood Way and Southside Drive in Louisville, Kentucky, designated as “Mr. Edgardo Mansilla Way.” Public Works is hereby directed to move forward with fabrication and installation of the honorary street sign upon the passage of this Resolution and the receipt of funds from Americana Community Center to cover the expense.
SECTION II: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Sonya Harward David James
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
________________________________ _____________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
By: ___________________________
R-113-21 Resolution Honoring Mr. Edgardo Mansilla jdf 093021