HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/01/2025 05.C. Draft Proclamation for America's 250th anniversary "Two Lights for Tomorrow" Initiative r `y � ljlt
'111
s 7-j. • r
.
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 5.C.
For Meeting of: April 1, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Draft Proclamation for America's 250th anniversary "Two Lights for
Tomorrow" Initiative
SUBMITTED BY: Vicki Baker, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Attached is a draft copy of the proclamation for America's 250th anniversary for review. If the
proclamation is approved, it will be read and presented at the April 15, 2025 City Council meeting.
ITEM BUDGETED: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
America's 250th Anniversary.doc
8
CITY O F Y.47(I M)4
C L 11 A ''I O N
'NLE4S, the City of Yakima recognizes the importance of honoring and commemorating the 250th
anniversary of the founding of our nation and reminding our citizens of the vital significance and relevance of
our founding principles and ideals that created a unique national identity worth fighting for; and
WIEc1 AS, the events of 1775 that began the revolution the year before independence was declared
are significant moments that signaled the creation of a national identity and unity of purpose that transcended
traditional geographic, cultural, and societal divides; and
WI-EWS, individuals and communities across all the colonies came together to support their fellow
countrymen; and
WI-PEWS, on the evening ofAprill8, 1775, with impending hostile action from the cBritishArmy
in(Boston, Massachusetts, (Paul Revere and William Dawes along with other alarm riders undertooka perilous
ride to alert everyone in the countryside of the coming danger; and
`WI EI AS,preceding their departure from(Boston, a prearranged signal was set in the Old North
Church steeple to ensure that the message got out and dui not solely rely on just one or two alarm riders; and
SEWS, the two lanterns that were the signal were immortalized in 9-fenry Wadsworth
Long fellow's poem TaulRevere's bide as "One if by land, and two if by sea"and have become an enduring
symbol of American vigilance,perseverance,preparedness in the face of adversity; and
WI-EWS, those alarm riders and the citizens that answered the call to arms to serve and defend
their feflow countrymen that night and the following day at the cBattles of Leington and Concord e.cempfi5
the spirit of community and shared responsibility that has defined our Nation since its inception; and
WXEWS, we are reminded, 250 years later, that the callfor unity and the call to serve each other
is no less relevant today than it was then; and
WIPEWS, a national initiative has been proposed through collaboration from multiple states that
two fights be displayed in public spaces across the country for all to see marking that significant anniversary in
Apri12025 and the beginning of the 250th anniversary commemorations leading up to the Declaration of
Independence on July 4, 2026,
mir
NOW TI EU FO , I, 'Patricia(Byers, Mayor of the City of Yakima and on behalf of the Yakima
City Council hereby endorse the Two Lights ccorTomorrow national initiative and call on all citizens to unite
in remembrance of our shared history, honoring the sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence
and reminding ourselves of the values we hold dear today.
Dated this 15th day of April, 2025
(Patricia(Byers, Mayor
9