SUBSTITUTE
Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 5
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson - District 5
Accept a donation of funds raised bay the John Lewis Memorial Task Force to create and deliver a unique memorial to the late Congressman John Lewis to be placed next to the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse located at 101 E. Court Square, Decatur, Georgia 30030 and adjacent to the Decatur Square.
Body
Information Contact: Mereda Davis Johnson, District 5
Phone Number: 404-371-2159
PURPOSE:
Accept the donation of $482,500 from Decatur Legacy, Inc. to pay artist Basil Watson for the completion of a contract for the creation and delivery of a unique commemorative work of art and memorial being created to honor the late civil rights hero and U.S. Representative John Robert Lewis to be placed in the former location of the Confederate Obelisk next to the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse located at 101 E. Court Square, Decatur, Georgia 30030 and adjacent to the Decatur Square
NEED/IMPACT:
The Governing Authority of DeKalb County desires to remember the late Representative John Robert Lewis for his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, his lifelong fight for human rights, dignity and equality as a congressman representing Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District for over 30 years, having been elected to Congress a total of 17 times. The Governing Authority of DeKalb County further desires to celebrate Mr. Lewis’ remarkable life and the way in which he bridged the gap between earlier generations of civil rights activists and more recent, younger activists who are continuing to fight for justice and equality for all human beings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Approve and authorize (1) the acceptance of the $$482,500 to pay artist Basil Watson; (2) the unique commemorative work of art and memorial being created to honor the late civil rights hero and U.S. Representative John Robert Lewis; (3) the placement of the memorial in the former location of the Confederate Obelisk next to the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse located at 101 E. Court Square, Decatur, Georgia 30030 and adjacent to the Decatur Square; and (4) authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the necessary documents in a form acceptable to the County Attorney.