Title
Supporting an appropriate recognition of Judge Larry Cohen on the City Hall/Courthouse grounds.
Body
WHEREAS, Judge Lawrence Cohen served as Chief Judge of the 2nd District Court, Chair of the Ramsey County Board, and Mayor of the City of St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen was instrumental in the renovation and re-use of the Federal Courthouse, now known as Landmark Center; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen served as the first Mayor of St. Paul under the new City Charter, and reorganized city government with a distinct separation of administrative and legislative functions; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen served on the Metropolitan Airports Commission for 11 years; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen was instrumental in the establishment of the St. Paul District Council system, and served on several boards, including the Urban League, Board of Judicial Standards, and the Tribal Court Committee; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen established the interpreter certification program for non-English speakers who were not well represented in the court system; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen was recognized as the Trial Court Judge of the Year in 1995; the Minnesota District Judges Association Community Service Award in 1997; the Youth Mentoring Award in 1998; and the Peace Award by the Department of Corrections for Hmong Circles of Peace in 2002; and
WHEREAS, Judge Cohen's civic leadership in the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County has resulted in a stronger, more inclusive community; and
WHEREAS, on August 18, 2015, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, in Resolution No. B2015-268, directed staff to work with the City of St. Paul, community members and other interested parties to establish an appropriate recognition of Judge Cohen on the Courthouse grounds in the Plaza area at the corner of Kellogg Boulevard and Wabasha Street, established the Judge Cohen Recognition Project, and authorized the transfer of up to $100,000 for the construction, planning and design of hardscape and foundational materials for this effort when sufficient funds to provide for a public art or other decorative element as part of the recognition have been raised; and
WHEREAS, the Judge Cohen Recognition Project will also honor Judge Cohen’s work by including, as part of the public art, recognition of the efforts of others who have furthered diverse and inclusive leadership in the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul supports the recognition project and directs staff to work with Ramsey County, community members and other interested parties to establish an appropriate recognition of Judge Larry Cohen on the Courthouse grounds in the Plaza area at the corner of Kellogg Boulevard and Wabasha Street; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City of St. Paul, in support of the recognition project, will assist in seeking funds for the public art or other decorative elements as part of the recognition.