HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-090~ _, .
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RESOLUTION NO. 09-090
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH 31, 2009,
THROUGH APRIL 5, 2009, AS "THE FIFTH ANNVAL ZORA
FEST! DUST TRACKS IN FLORIDA CELEBRATION"; AN~
FURTHER ~ESIGNATING SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009, AS
"ZORA NEALE HURSTON DAY" IN ST. LUCIE COVNTY,
FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made
the following determincations:
1. The Zora Fest Committee and the newly formed Zora Neale Hurston Florida
Foundation has organized severa) events celebrating the art, literature and music of the late
award-winning author Zora Neale Hurston. The events will be held throughout the County at
Indian River State College, Lincoln Park Academy, and the Sunrise Theater.
2. Zora became known as the Queen of the Harlem Renaissance through her
writings and friendships with the many black writers, musicians, sociologists, anthropologists
and others, coming from the South to make their mark on a growing black movement in the
1920's and 1930's. Zora's most renowned book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" was written
in Haiti in 1936 and later released as a film by Oprah Winfrey in 2005.
3. Zora Neale Hurston came to St. L.ucie County toward the end of her life at the
request of Fort Pierce Chronicle Publisher C. E. Bolen where she worked as c- newspaper
reporter, and also taught school at Lincoln Park Academy, before suffering several strokes
that led to her death in January, 1960. At the time of her death, all of her books were out
of print. As part of Alice Walker's pilgrimage in 1973, Ms. Walker placed Q headstone on
Zora's grave and then shared her rediscovery of Zora with the world. Zora Neale Hurston's
books are now sold in bookstores uround the world and celebrated at literary events across
the country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVE~ by the Board of County Commissioners of St.
Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim March 31, 2009, through April 5, 2009, as
"THE FIFTH ANNUAL ZORA FEST! DUST TRACKS IN FLORIDA CELEBRATION".
2. This Board does hereby further designate Saturday, April 4, 2009, as "ZORA
NEALE HURSTON DAY" in St. Lucie County, Florida
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3. This Board urges the citizens of St. Lucie County to participate in the events
scheduled to honor Zora Neale Hurston.
PASSED AND DULY A~OPTED this 24th day of March, 2009.
Al-I"EST:
BOARD OF COVNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY: •
CHAI
APPROVE~ AS TO LEGAL FORM AN~