HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2025-052-Resolution Naming the Cedar Grove Park Athletic Field #1 as the caoch Willie Lawrence Vanhook athletic field RES -2025- 052 g - r V ( Dl7 /vZS
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Naming Cedar Grove Park Athletic Field # 1 as the
" Coach Willie Lawrence Vanhook Athletic Field "
WHEREAS , Willie Lawrence Vanhook ( born 1932 ) is widely known and respected as a
civic leader , Civil Rights advocate , successful tobacco farmer , volunteer 41,* H leader and
church trustee , both in his beloved Cedar Grove community and throughout Orange
County ; and
WHEREAS , Willie Lawrence Vanhook achieved success as a leading tobacco farmer in
Cedar Grove , starting out as a sharecropper and finally attaining the ownership of his own
farm ; and
WHEREAS , Mr . Vanhook achieved a major integration breakthrough by becoming one of
the first African American tobacco graders and buyers in the country , starting as a grader
for the burley tobacco markets in Tennessee and Kentucky , and later working as a buyer
for the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company and Phillip Morris , Inc . ; and
WHEREAS , through his leadership , Mr . Vanhook played a leading role in the formation
of the Cedar Grove Recreation Association and started a softball league for youth and
adults , serving as a coach and mentor to a whole generation of athletes ; and
WHEREAS , in appreciation of Mr . Vanhook' s dedication and commitment to his
community , the Cedar Grove Recreation Association has proposed naming the Cedar
Grove Park Athletic Field # 1 as the " Coach Willie Lawrence Vanhook Athletic Field ; " and
WHEREAS , at its Business meeting on September 16 , 2025 , the Board of County
Commissioners stated its intent to name the Cedar Grove Park Athletic Field # 1 to honor
Coach Willie Lawrence Vanhook and provide an appropriate sign and interpretive marker;
NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners does hereby name the Cedar Grove Park Athletic Field # 1 to be the
" Coach Willie Lawrence Vanhook Athletic Field . "
This the 7th day of October , 2025 .
Ja ezett edford , C air
Orange County Board of Commissioners .
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Laura Jense Jerk to the Board � 3 � l
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