HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-082
RESOLUTION NO. 08-082
A RESOLUTION HONORING MR. R. DUKE NELSON WHO
HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS "HISTORY MAKER" IN ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR EXEMPLIFYING OUTSTANDING
CITIZENSHIP THROUGH HIS MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS
TO OUR COMMUNITY IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND
GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made
the following determinations:
1. Mr. R. "Duke" Nelson is a proud graduate of Lincoln Park Academy, Class of
1954. He graduated from Florida A & M University in 1958. In 1959, he taught Math and
Science at LPA.
2. Mr. Nelson is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel. He spent 26
years in the military and traveled the world, visiting almost every continent. He attended a
host of schools, certifying in planning, engineering and management.
3. Mr. Nelson served for 12 years as a Ft. Pierce City Commissioner, Mayor Pro
Tem in 1998 and 2002. He has always shown devotion and dedication to his hometown of Fort
Pierce. As result of his patience, persistence, and ability to bring together public and private
agencies and individuals, Mr. Nelson has forever improved and rejuvenated the Avenue D
corridor by leading the way for the construction of the Human Development and Resources
Centre, Fort Pierce, FL. He was also instrumental in the preservation of the Betts Building
and the Lincoln Theatre.
2. In addition to his role as a Fort Pierce City Commissioner, some of Mr. Nelson's
community services activities included Children Services Council Board Member, Fort Pierce
Housing Authority Board Member and Chair from 1985 through 1986, Fort Pierce
Redevelopment Agency 2004 through 2007 and the City of Fort Pierce Retirement Board.
3. In commending his ten years of service as Chairman of the St. Lucie County
Housing Finance Authority, a resolution was given to Mr. Nelson. An excerpt reads "As a
direct result of Mr. Nelson's efforts to promote national recognition of the unique
requirements for housing in the southern states and particularly in the state of Florida, the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has amended its regulations
to require air conditioning for all federal funded housing in the southern United States".
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
St. Lucie County:
1. This Board does hereby honor Mr. R. Duke Nelson who has been chosen as
"HISTORY MAKER" in St. Lucie County, Florida, for exemplifying outstanding citizenship
through his major contributions to our community in the field of government.
2. This Board encourages the citizens of St. Lucie County to participate in
honoring Mr. R. Duke Nelson at a dinner celebration to be held in conjunction with the
National Celebration of Black History Month at the Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce, Florida,
on Tuesday evening, February 26, 2008, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 26th day of February, 2007.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
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