Kentucky SR 75: A RESOLUTION honoring Senator Gerald Neal for receiving the Keepers of the Dream Freedom Award.

Bill Text

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A RESOLUTION honoring Senator Gerald Neal for receiving the Keepers of the 1
Dream Freedom Award. 2
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely regarded as the preeminent 3
advocate for nonviolence in the United States and as one of the greatest nonviolent 4
leaders in world history; and 5
WHEREAS, drawing from his Christian faith and through the peaceful teachings of 6
the Mahatma Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a nonviolent movement in the 1950s 7
and 1960s to achieve greater equality for African-Americans in the United States; and 8
WHEREAS, in tribute to the successes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to 9
continue his legacy of nonviolence and racial equality, those who exemplify his ideals are 10
awarded the Keepers of the Dream Freedom Award; and 11
WHEREAS, as a testament to his endurance, tenacity, and advocacy for minorities 12
and the underserved, Senator Gerald Neal continues Dr. King's legacy as the 2024 13
recipient of the Keepers of the Dream Freedom Award; and 14
WHEREAS, Senator Neal has been a strong proponent of educational diversity and 15
policy research and he founded the Kentucky African-American All Children's Caucus 16
and the African-American Community Agenda Initiative; and 17
WHEREAS, Senator Neal was elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1989, the first 18
African-American man and second African-American to be elected to the office. During 19
his tenure in office, Senator Neal has been a staunch advocate for minorities, senior 20
citizens, and the underserved. He has also championed equal educational opportunities 21
and expansion of health care coverage; and 22
WHEREAS, in recognition of his diligent work and leadership, Senator Neal was 23
inducted to the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001, was named a Distinguished 24
Alumni Law Fellow for the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 2006, 25
received the Lawrence Grauman Award in 2017, and was elected as Leader of the 26
Kentucky Senate Democratic Caucus in 2022; and 27

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WHEREAS, Senator Neal, through his public service, leadership, and tenacity for 1
those voices who are sometimes forgotten, has continued the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther 2
King Jr. in this Commonwealth, and the Senate hereby honors and congratulates him on 3
his well-deserved award; 4
NOW, THEREFORE, 5
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 6
Kentucky: 7
Section 1. The members of the Senate do hereby congratulate Senator Gerald 8
Neal on his storied career and his achievement of the 2024 Keepers of the Dream 9
Freedom Award. 10
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 11
Resolution to Senator David Yates for delivery to Senator Gerald Neal. 12