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Declaring August 2011 as Pan-African Community Month, and celebrating Pan-African Market Day on August 14, 2011.
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WHEREAS, the United Nations has declared 2011 to be The Year for People of African Descent, a world campaign to raise awareness for people of global African-descent, their history, culture and contributions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has benefited from the talents and contributions of people of African descent starting with the migration of the first African-Americans to the United States in 1700s to the more recent immigration of the United States' largest populations of Somali, Kenyan, Liberian, Afro-Puerto Rican, and all other groups of African descent, that continue to enrich our great City; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and applaud the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network's convening of the Pan-African Women's Action Summit from August 11th-13th, 2011 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, dedicated to celebrating and encouraging the contributions and philanthropy of those of African-descent and all people to our society; and
WHEREAS, the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network, in collaboration with partners, El Arco Iris Center for the Arts and the African American Cultural Heritage Corridor's Spirit of Rondo, recognizes and supports our City's diverse African Diaspora heritage; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, we proudly commend the Pan-African Women's Action Summit for its contributions to our great City's philanthropy and civic life; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council joins the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network in declaring August 2011 as Pan-African Community Month and Pan-African Market Day, recognizing and promoting continued civic engagement and entrepreneurship of diverse Minnesotans of African descent.