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PROCLAMATION SD <br />HONORING AFRICAN AMERICAN PIONEER DAY <br />FEBRUARY, 2014 <br />WHEREAS, since the 1940's several prominent African American men and women of Indian <br />River County have paved the way for this generation and many to come to serve in the business, public <br />and elected arenas; and <br />WHEREAS, in 1983 Willie Griffieth was the first African American to be employed as a law <br />enforcement officer in the Indian River Shores Police Department. In 1984, when the Police and Fire <br />Departments were consolidated into the Indian River Shores Public Safety, Officer Willie Griffieth was <br />promoted to Traffic and General Crime Investigator. He was the first African American to hold this <br />position; and <br />WHEREAS, in September, 2004, Joseph Brown was the first African American to become a <br />Criminal Justice Academy Coordinator at Indian River State College and is currently serving in that <br />capacity; and <br />WHEREAS, Alvin R. Thomas from Jamaica West Indies was the first African American to serve <br />on the City Council for the City of Fellsmere. In December, 1978, Alvin was appointed to City Council <br />and served until 1982, when he ran for and successfully won election to the Council; he was named <br />interim Mayor in 1982, then ran for and was elected Mayor in 1983 and served until 1985. In 1989 he <br />was re -appointed to the City Council to fill the un -expired term of Joe Washington, another African <br />American who passed in 1989; in 1990 he was again elected as a Councilmember and was selected by <br />the City Council as Mayor Pro -Tem and served until 1992. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA that this proclamation signifies the historic accomplishments of <br />these noble pioneers in civil rights, education, public service, business and elected office, will be forever <br />remembered as builders to the African American's generations to come; and <br />LET IT FURTHER BE PROCLAIMED, that the month of February be forever known in Indian <br />River County as African American Pioneer Day. <br />Adopted this 18th day of February, 2014. <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, <br />I N RIVER COUI TY, FLORIDA <br />Peter D. O' Bryan, Chairma <br />i <br />Wesley S. Davis, ice hairman <br />_a�� Z--"/ <br />J eph E. Flescher <br />Bob Solari <br />Ti <br />