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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-04 ProclamationItem Number: 2.a. a CITY OF IOWA CITY "QR T-4 COUNCIL ACTION REPORT February 4, 2025 Black History Month Attachments: Black History Month proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, there is no American history without Black History, and we take time each February to commemorate that truth. We use this month, and beyond, to reflect on the heroes who persevere in the face of unconscionable discrimination; and Whereas, Black History Month grew out of "Negro History Week," first proposed by scholar Carter G. Woodson in 1926, who chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Black History Month seeks to recenter the efforts of African Americans to tell a fuller story of America; and Whereas, this year's theme is African Americans and Labor, which focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds — free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational, and voluntary — intersect with the collective experiences of Black people; and Whereas, the theme intends to encourage broad reflections on intersections between Black people's work and their workplaces in all their iterations and key moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and space and throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora; and Whereas, like religion, social justice movements, and education, studying African Americans' labor and labor struggles are important organizing for new interpretations and reinterpretations of the Black past, present, and future; and Whereas, this Black History Month, let us draw inspiration and courage from the heroes who came before us, as we continue the work toward full equality and representation. Now, Therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2025 to be in Iowa City. Black History Month J21k or Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 4th day of February 2025. Item Number: 2.b. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT February 4, 2025 Lunar New Year Attachments: Lunar New Year proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION s Whereas, Lunar New Year originated in Asian countries more than 4,000 years ago ana is celebrated by billions of people across the world, including the United States, during the first new moon of the calendar in February each year; and Whereas, Lunar New Year is an official state holiday in California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, and there is an opportunity for other states to adopt this official state holiday to recognize the culture and positive contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities; and Whereas, Lunar New Year has been officially listed as a United Nations holiday in the UN Calendar of Conferences and Meetings starting in 2024. It is celebrated by residents from China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Mongolia, and millions of worldwide, with community activities, cultural performances, and the reunification of family and friends; and Whereas, Lunar New Year is an opportunity for people to learn about AAPI cultures and traditions, especially in light of the rise in hate crimes against the AAPI communities. Now, Therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim the first new moon of the calendar year on January 29, 2025 to be Lunar New Year in Iowa City and recognize the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year; the Year of the Snake, and expresses our deepest appreciation for APAPA and Asian American Pacific Islanders and all individuals who celebrate this significant occasion; and wish Asian American Pacific Islanders and all individuals who observe this holiday a happy and prosperous new year. or Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 4th day of February 202 5 Item Number: 2.c. CITY OF IOWA CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT February 4, 2025 World Hijab Day Attachments: World Hijab Day proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, the people of the great City of Iowa City who come from a variety of backgrounds are united in certain foundational beliefs such as affirming the inherent dignity of all persons, the right of every person to be treated with respect, and the right of all residents to practice their religion freely; and Whereas, we recognize Saturday, February 1, 2025, as World Hijab Day; and Whereas, The Hijab, a traditional veil which covers a woman's hair, neck and chest, has been very important to the history of Islam; it is meant to promote dignity and respect for women while maintaining modesty and respect for religious faith; and Whereas, World Hijab Day was started by Nazma Khan, a resident of NJ, as a day set aside for women of different cultures, who do not normally wear the Hijab, to experience wearing one for the day; its purpose is to encourage religious tolerance, cultural understanding and international solidarity; and Whereas, On February 1, 2013, the world celebrated its first annual World Hijab Day in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the Hijab and live a life of religious faith; and Whereas, Since its inception, World Hijab Day has participants from all over the world; and Whereas, To combat prejudice, leaders in the American Muslim community are working tirelessly to show that the wearing of the Hijab is a choice, a freedom, and a blessing, as well as to educate their fellow residents about Islam in ways which are relevant and meaningful; and Whereas, One of America's greatest strengths as a society has been our ability to embrace our different faiths and allow their members to express themselves freely; in this spirit, World Hijab Day encourages the wearing of the Hijab as a proud display of religious faith and communal bonding which will make us stronger as a nation and more accepting of others; and Whereas, it is the sense of the City of Iowa City honor those important events which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of our great City and Nation while encouraging greater religious tolerance and understanding in our communities. Now, Therefore, I, Bruce Teague, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim Saturday, February 1, 2025 to be orld Hijab Day a � �r Mayor I Si ed in Iowa t� CitYIowa this 4th day of February 2025.