[WardFive] IN SUPPORT OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Introduced by:  Robert Vinson Brannum

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner – 5E08

Former President – Bloomingdale Civic Association, Inc.

 

ANC 5E Resolution

IN SUPPORT OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY

 

WHEREAS, Howard University, an historically black university founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., and named for General Oliver Otis Howard; and

 

WHEREAS, Howard University “prepares diverse, talented and ambitious students to learn, lead and embody excellence in truth and service”; and

 

WHEREAS, since 1867, Howard University has awarded more than 100,000 degrees in the professions, arts, sciences and humanities; and

 

WHEREAS, Howard ranks among the highest producers of the nation's Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work and education; and

 

WHEREAS,  Howard University, on 11 May 2019, will hold its 151st Commencement; and

 

WHEREAS,  the Howard University academic community represents more than 9,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students represents 50 states and territories, and 66 nations; and

 

WHEREAS,  the historic main campus of Howard University sits on a hilltop in Northwest Washington blocks from the storied U Street and Howard Theatre and two miles from the U.S. Capitol where many students intern, and scores of alumni shape national and foreign policy; and

 

WHEREAS,  the Howard University campus is a beautiful, sacred space that provides comfort and, in many ways, sanctuary in a place that feels more like a second home than merely an academic institution; and

 

WHEREAS,  “The Yard” of Howard University symbolizes one of the main quadrangles on the campus of Howard University in Northwest Washington, DC; and

 

WHEREAS,  “The Yard” of Howard University is the principal open space at the northern end of the academic portion of the campus, flanked by nine academic buildings; and

 

WHEREAS, “The Yard” of Howard University is the site of a variety of campus gatherings, most notably its annual Homecoming festivities, which are known as "Yardfest"; and

 

WHEREAS,             “The Yard” of Howard University encompasses three (3) buildings, Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall, and Founders Library, which are listed National Historic Landmarks, important for their role in the advancement of civil rights in education during the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, “The Yard” of Howard University is in the northern half of Howard University's Washington campus, bounded roughly on the West by 6th Street NW, the East by 5th Street NW, and the South by Howard Place; and

 

WHEREAS, “The Yard” of Howard University is a roughly flat grassy expanse, dotted with trees around its edges, and traversed by an intersecting network of paved paths; and

 

WHEREAS, “The Yard” and the Howard University hold historically significant for the role they played in the legal school desegregation battles of the 20th century; and

 

WHEREAS, Howard University's law school was the epicenter where the legal strategies were formulated leading to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case and this legal work often took place in Founders Library, where the law school and library were located from 1944 to 1955, spearheaded by Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall; and

 

WHEREAS, research in support of this work often took place in departments located in Douglass Memorial Hall, Rankin Memorial Chapel, as well as the Carnegie Building, where ongoing legal challenges were discussed; and

 

WHEREAS, “The Yard” quadrangle itself, has a special historical significance in the enhancement of freedom, justice and equality for all Americans.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5E (ANC5E) honors the rich legacy of “The Yard” and Howard University; and

 

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,  that ANC 5E recommends the private property space of “The Yard” of Howard University to be respected at all times; and 

 

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ANC 5E sincerely and warmly congratulates the 2019 Commencement Class of Howard University along with its Administrators, Faculty and Staff on this momentous occasion.

 

THIS RESOLUTION came before ANC 5E at a duly-noticed public meeting on April 23, 2019.  ANC 5E is composed of 10 Commissioners, such that 6 Commissioners constitute a quorum. With __9__ Commissioners present, ANC 5E voted _9_-_0_-_0_ to adopt this resolution.

 

Respectfully Submitted, 

 

___________________/signed___________________                       ________________/signed/_____________________

Bradley A. Thomas                                                                                    Nick Cheolas

Chairperson, ANC5E                                                                             Corresponding Secretary

 

 

Introduced by:   Robert Vinson Brannum

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner – 5E08

[Bloomingdale]