RESOLUTION No. __________, Series 2015
title
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF REVEREND CHARLES EDWARD KIRBY. (As Amended.)
body
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILWOMAN MARY WOOLRIDGE
WHEREAS, Reverend Charles Edward Kirby was born on August 5, 1928 in Cadiz, Kentucky to the late Reverend Olia and Mary Kirby; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby is married to Bettye Merriweather Kirby and he has 3 7 children: Linda Kirby, Reverend Stephan Kirby, Darrius Kirby, Andrae Kirby, Charlene Smith, Wyndy Lottering, and Jamie Kirby; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby studied at Simmons College and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby's vision of what God wanted him to do was clear;
WHEREAS, with the support of three of God's men, Reverend Charles Edward Kirby founded the Southern Star Baptist Church in 1956 where he served as the pastor until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Southern Star Missionary Baptist Church was recognized as a "Trailblazer" within the community and in 1956 became the first church to broadcast live on WLOU Radio Station; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby was a nationally known singer and he recorded He Cares for You, God Specializes, The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow, If I Don't Wake Up in the Morning, You Brought Me From a Mighty Long Way, Through The Years, God is Real, Precious Lord, I Surrender, just to name a few; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Reverend Kirby, Southern Star became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, opening the doors for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marches that occurred in Louisville; and
WHEREAS, as President of the Kentucky Southern Christian Leadership, Reverend Kirby founded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Food Store and demonstrated with 10,000 citizens across Kentucky at the State Capital for a statewide Public Accommodation legislation; and
WHEREAS, in 1967 Reverend Kirby marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other community leaders, night after night, into white neighborhoods, which resulted in the passing of the Kentucky Fair Housing Act; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Reverend Kirby, Southern Star Missionary Baptist Church purchased the property located at 2304 Algonquin Parkway in September 1969. Later the church purchased six additional properties on Algonquin Parkway and Dixdale Avenue; and
WHEREAS, In 2003 C.E. Kirby Multipurpose Center of Excellence was built at 2308 Algonquin Parkway; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Charles E. Kirby retired as pastor of Southern Star Missionary Baptist Church in December 2009 after 53 years of a very successful ministry; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Kirby has received numerous awards for his outstanding civil duties which to name a few include: Leadership Award for KY Chapter of SCLC; Champions for Children Award, Jefferson County Public Schools; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. First Annual Dream Award and induction into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Charles E. Kirby was President of the Kentucky State Body of the National Baptist Convention Of America, Inc. and was Host Pastor to Dr. E. Edwards Jones President of the National Baptist Convention of America in September 1993 at the Galt House; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Charles Kirby has been a guiding light in the lives of thousands. His spiritual commitment has made all the difference in the lives of families, in our neighborhoods and in our community.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (THE COUNCIL) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: Reverend Charles E. Kirby life and service to Louisville Metro be honored with a street sign on Algonquin Parkway beginning at 23rd Street and going west on Algonquin Parkway to Cypress in Louisville Kentucky designated as "Reverend Charles E. Kirby Parkway". The Department of Public Works is hereby directed to effect the same as soon as practicable following the passage of this Resolution.
SECTION II: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
_______________________________ H. Stephen Ott Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David W. Tandy President of the Council |
_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O'Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
Honorary Sign Resolution Rev Kirby Draft 4 ROCsjm,bkn 041315 041315