HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-16-2019 4-a - Proclamation Recognizing Frederick Lewis Battle 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 16, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing Frederick Lewis Battle
DEPARTMENT: BOCC
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Donna Baker, Clerk to the Orange
County Board of Commissioners,
919-245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation recognizing the life and services of Frederick (Fred)
Lewis Battle for the people of Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Fred Battle was a leader in Orange County and throughout his life worked
tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the people of Orange County and beyond.
Over the course of his life, Fred Battle fought for justice and social equality, starting as early as
the 1960's with a history making protest against Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina,
pushing forward the nationwide civil rights movement.
Fred Battle fought the fight to move forward the human rights of all people for equality and social
justice and in his words, "the struggle continues".
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact
associated with consideration of the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Proclamation
Recognizing Frederick Lewis Battle and authorize the Chair to sign.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING
FREDERICK LEWIS BATTLE
WHEREAS, Frederick (Fred) Lewis Battle was a leader in Orange County and throughout his life worked
tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the people of Orange County and beyond; and
WHEREAS, our entire community mourns the passing of Fred Battle on April 1, 2019 and expresses our
sincere sympathy to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his lifetime, Fred Battle fought for justice and social equality, starting as
early as the 1960's with a history making protest against Woolworth's in Greensboro, North
Carolina, pushing forward the nationwide civil rights movement; and
WHEREAS, as local activists, Fred Battle and Yonni Chapman co-founded the Orange County Rainbow
Coalition of Conscience in 1982; and
WHEREAS, continuing the fight for social justice, Fred Battle founded the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Branch
of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1987, and
served as its president for over 20 years; and
WHEREAS, Fred Battle gave freely of his time, energy and talents in serving the community; and
WHEREAS, he helped to improve the way of life for area residents by serving on the Orange County
Board of Health, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors, the Solid
Waste Advisory Board, the Joint Orange Chatham Community Action Board, the
Intergovernmental Parks Work Group, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Board of
Education; and
WHEREAS, in the 2015 Salute to Community Heroes, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
recognized Fred Battle with the Irene Briggaman Lifetime Achievement Award; and
WHEREAS, Fred Battle fought the fight to move forward the human rights of all people for equality and
social justice and in his words, "the struggle continues";
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of
Orange County, express our deep appreciation, gratitude and respect for the services
rendered by Frederick Lewis Battle to the County and beyond over the course of his
lifetime.
This the l 61h day of April 2019.
Penny Rich, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners