2026-10-08 - Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning

00:00Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to

00:01community uh Committee on Urban

00:03Redevelopment and Renewal Planning.

00:06Today is Thursday, October the 8th,

00:082026.

00:10Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

00:12>> Chairwoman Harris.

00:13>> Present. Vice Chair Petrarca.

00:15>> Present.

00:16>> Councilman Gonzales.

00:17>> Present.

00:18>> Councilwoman Graves.

00:20>> Present.

00:21>> Councilman Vargas is absent or present.

00:23When absent, we have quorum.

00:25>> Thank you. Let the record show that we

00:27also have our Council President present

00:29with us today.

00:31>> So noted.

00:32>> And we have some great stuff on the

00:34docket today. Madam Clerk, could you

00:36please read the first item?

00:39>> Item number one, resolution honoring the

00:41Providence Grays historic baseball

00:43legacy.

00:44>> Okay.

00:46So,

00:47we have

00:50Why don't we read the resolutions first?

00:52Why don't we do that and just all of us

00:54give the energy? How's that?

00:57>> Whereas the Providence Grays represented

00:59the city in the National League from

01:011878 through 1885, playing their home

01:04games at Messer Street Grounds on

01:07Providence's West Side. And whereas the

01:09Grays won National League pennants in

01:111879 and 1884, and capped their 1884

01:15season with a three-game sweep of the

01:17New York Metropolitans of the American

01:19Association on October 25th, 1884 in

01:23baseball's first-ever interleague

01:25post-season championship series, often

01:28referred to as the first World Series.

01:30And whereas Charles Oldhorse Radbourn

01:33led the championship team winning

01:35approximately 60 regular season games

01:38and pitching all three victories in the

01:40championship series. And whereas Paul

01:42Hines played for the Grays throughout

01:44their eight National League seasons and

01:47in 1878 became the first hitter to

01:49achieve baseball's triple crown by

01:52leading the league in batting average,

01:54home runs, and runs batted in. And

01:56whereas, John Montgomery John Montgomery

01:59Ward pitched the perfect game for

02:01Providence on June 17, 1880, and later

02:04helped establish the brother the

02:06Brotherhood of Professional Baseball

02:07Players in 1885, the first major league

02:10players union. And whereas, William

02:13Edward White played for the Grays on

02:15June 21, 1879, an appearance that the

02:18Society for American Baseball Research

02:21identifies as possibly the first by a

02:23black player in the major league

02:25baseball.

02:26And whereas, the major league team

02:28disbanded in 1885, while the Providence

02:30Grays minor league team formed in 1886,

02:33and again in 1899, continuing to play at

02:36the Messer Street Grounds, and then at

02:38Melrose Park in South Providence, and

02:40Kinsley Park in the Valley neighborhood.

02:42And whereas, George Herman Babe Ruth

02:45pitched for the Providence Grays in

02:471914, winning eight out of nine games

02:50played with the team, and helping the

02:52team achieve the 1914 International

02:55League champion. Before debuting with

02:57the Red Sox later that year. And

02:59whereas, the Providence Grays Historic

03:02Baseball Club, founded in 1998, shares

03:05and celebrates Providence's baseball

03:06history by recreating the 19th century

03:09game using period rules and customs. And

03:12whereas, each year Providence Youth

03:15Baseball Little League teams engage

03:17hundreds of young people with the

03:18support of dedicated parents and

03:20community leaders, engendering in young

03:23players a love for the game of baseball.

03:25And an understanding of the importance

03:27of teamwork and good sportsmanship, both

03:29on and off the ball field. And whereas,

03:32public

03:32commemoration of the Grays would

03:34preserve an important chapter of

03:36Providence's history, helps residents

03:38and visitors learn about the city's

03:41contributions to professional baseball,

03:43and inspire young players by celebrating

03:45our place in history.

03:47Now, therefore, be it resolved that the

03:49city that the Providence City Council

03:52honors the Providence Grays and

03:54respectfully requests the Department of

03:56Public Works coordinate, design, have

03:59fabrication, installation, and

04:01maintenance of one or more commemorative

04:03plaque at the prominent and appropriate

04:06public locations on Messer Street

04:08between Hudson and Willow Streets

04:10recognizing the team's 1884

04:12championship, notable players, and

04:14contributions to baseball history. Be it

04:16further resolved that a copy of this

04:18resolution be transmitted to the

04:20Department of Public Works for their

04:21consideration and implementation.

04:25>> Thank you. Um

04:27Council President, I would love

04:29to sponsor this.

04:30>> I am here with and tell us why you

04:32brought this to us tonight.

04:34>> The reason why I brought this to us

04:36tonight is sitting to my left.

04:39>> [laughter]

04:39>> So,

04:41many folks, I think everyone knows

04:42Jackie who runs Sukalo and has been a

04:46force of nature in for good in the

04:48Providence Parks Department. Um and

04:51Jackie pointed out, this was not the

04:53first time you said this about, "Hey,

04:56there should be a baseball field on your

04:57street." Did you know that?

04:59>> [laughter]

05:01>> But, we got serious about it this fall

05:03and Jackie helped write this resolution

05:06which was a good team effort. And with

05:08your permission, I'd love to hand it

05:10over.

05:11>> Do you have anything to add? Thank you.

05:13>> Yeah, I mean

05:14it's a piece of not only athletic

05:16history, but it's certainly a piece of

05:18Providence history where amazingly that

05:21a major league team played literally.

05:24So, I live one street over from Rachel.

05:26So, it literally they literally played

05:28in our backyard. And although

05:31unfortunately we didn't get to witness

05:32this in 1884, it's an amazing history

05:35and the fact that Babe Ruth played for

05:37the franchise afterwards and you know,

05:40surprisingly and happily they recognized

05:44the first African-American ball player

05:46played for the Providence Grays. And you

05:48know, Jackie Robinson is recognized as

05:51that Major League Baseball, but this is

05:52a piece of a history that I think should

05:54really take off and and more people

05:56should know about this.

05:59Also, the fact that, you know, I would

06:01say Babe Ruth, one of the greatest

06:03players of all time, played for the

06:05played for the franchise.

06:07The building, if you see a photo of the

06:10Messer Street grounds, building

06:12to and in in the background is still

06:14standing. It was the former Willow

06:16Street School, I believe it's housing

06:17now. So, it's

06:19to me, just to sum it up, it's really

06:21cool stuff that I think and being a

06:24self-made historian for Providence

06:26stuff, I love athletics and you know, if

06:28you ever come by the Zoo below center

06:30and if you haven't, please do.

06:32A friend of mine, one of the alumni,

06:34they came by and he said, "In order to

06:36get where you're going, never forget

06:37where you came from." That resonated

06:39with me. A gentleman named Gene Wills.

06:41And he was a wonderful gentleman and we

06:43had an alumni day and he said that

06:45this is what it's all about, you know,

06:47and just to capture that moment

06:50and to honor,

06:52you know, the forefathers. And it was

06:54also considered the first World Series.

06:56Now, if you're watching the playoffs

06:58now, I'm a little disappointed cuz the

06:59Yankees got beat, but I mean, I don't

07:01even want to watch anymore

07:03but the first World Series game won by a

07:05team from Providence that beat the a New

07:08York team, the New York Metropolitans.

07:10I mean, I think it's just amazing that

07:12this is finally come to fruition after

07:15over a hundred some odd years. That's

07:17just my humble opinion and Rachel, you

07:19know, said this is absolutely amazing

07:21and let's get this done, you know. You

07:24know what? What I love the history of

07:26Davey Lopes and and I've

07:28I've coached against Shawn Abreu.

07:30These are These are some

07:32These are some iconic people. One is

07:35Councilman as you know, that that built

07:38the city, especially in athletics, but

07:39they were good people as well. They

07:41shaped,

07:43um, the lives of many through athletics

07:44and education. So, I'm a big proponent

07:47of honoring, you know, the past to teach

07:50the children going forward right now

07:52that these names are not just being

07:53thrown around. There's a reason why

07:55there's names on these buildings

07:57because, you know, they were our

07:58forefathers that created the path, you

08:01know, for the for even this generation

08:03right now, 100 years later, you know.

08:05So, that's just

08:07where I feel

08:08>> I do. History is very important. I

08:11think, um,

08:12just serving here on the Earth

08:13Committee, I've learned a lot about

08:15Providence and the beautiful history. I

08:18had no idea about, uh,

08:20this particular in in 1800 something,

08:23right?

08:24>> Yeah.

08:24>> 1800 the first black

08:27person. That's something to be honored

08:29and feel good about and be able to tell

08:31other folks about the history that I

08:33learned tonight. So, it's been

08:35wonderful.

08:36>> It's never too late to learn.

08:38>> You're never too old to learn. Thank

08:38you.

08:39>> All of us are I think we're looking at

08:40this city.

08:41>> to sleep right after you stop.

08:43>> [laughter]

08:45>> Exactly. And Providence has other

08:46history, not to, you know, um,

08:49Providence Steamroller, NFL champions. I

08:52know there's a there's a plaque at, uh,

08:55the Amica

08:56Pavilion that honoring them. NFL

08:58champions. That's amazing. Against the

09:00Bears, against the Packers. We're

09:02talking big names here. You know, even

09:04though they're the front, there was also

09:05a basketball team called the Providence

09:07Steamrollers with an S. They went to

09:09build They only lasted 2 years. And

09:11there was a professional soccer team

09:12called the Providence Gold Bugs.

09:15And another minor league baseball team

09:17called the Providence Clam Diggers.

09:19>> Wow.

09:19>> So, these are like, you can tell by the

09:21names, they're a little bit historic

09:23and, you know, but, um, I just think

09:25it's pretty cool that we've had all of

09:26this in the city that we all represent

09:29and I've been in the city for for my

09:31whole life and basically on the same

09:32street my whole life. So, I think it's

09:34just we We be so proud. We're a little

09:36city,

09:37a little state, but we have so We're

09:39rich in history. I I don't have to

09:41>> I love that.

09:41>> I love it. Yeah.

09:42>> Yeah, I love that.

09:43>> Thank you.

09:43>> You're welcome. And Council President,

09:46are you a Yankee fan now?

09:48>> Um

09:50Yes, Mr. I'm a Providence kid. It's

09:53Providence. Well, I grew up in New York,

09:54so I was

09:56And um

09:58a Mets kid growing up, but um

10:01I also am wondering if uh you would

10:04entertain a tiny amendment. As I quickly

10:07read through the item, I was reading it

10:08and I was like, "Oh, how did I miss this

10:10part?"

10:10>> Okay.

10:11>> Um in the very first sentence,

10:13it says and it's totally

10:16uh

10:18geographically correct um on

10:20Providence's West Side. I'm wondering if

10:22we could just

10:23make either, you know, in Providence's

10:25West End would be lovely.

10:27>> What is that?

10:29>> From side to paragraph.

10:30>> Yep, first paragraph.

10:35>> in

10:36>> in

10:36>> It's from on to in.

10:38>> And side to end.

10:40in Providence's West End

10:44>> in

10:45>> in

10:45>> I just missed that in the writing of it.

10:48Yep.

10:49>> in

10:50>> [laughter]

10:50>> in

10:51>> Providence's West End

10:53>> Yeah.

10:53>> side to end

10:55>> no sides or

10:56>> We're talking about neighborhood.

10:58>> Mhm.

10:59>> Okay.

11:00>> Okay.

11:01>> Um I need to make a motion.

11:03>> So moved.

11:03>> I move to amend the amendment.

11:05>> Yeah, so moved.

11:06>> It's seconded by Randy.

11:07>> I move to pass the amendment.

11:08>> I think we have to do our motion first.

11:10>> I move to amend the motion first to

11:11change the

11:13the language.

11:14>> Thank you.

11:14>> Okay. A motion has been made by

11:16Councilwoman Grace to change the

11:18language to in, seconded by Councilwoman

11:21Pacheco. All in favor?

11:23>> Aye.

11:24>> Motion passed. Now,

11:27>> Motion to approve.

11:28>> Approve as amended.

11:30>> A motion to approve as amended uh made

11:33by uh uh uh

11:35Councilman Council.

11:37Seconded by Councilman Graves. All in

11:39favor? I. All right, that was done.

11:41That's a little bit of a ball game.

11:44>> Thank you very much. That's good. We did

11:45it. Thank [laughter] you.

11:46>> Now, you're back to baseball.

11:48>> I want to thank the young man in the in

11:50the chair. He didn't introduce himself.

11:52He didn't

11:55>> He said he

11:57>> You play baseball? You play baseball?

12:00>> I thought maybe you brought a baseball

12:01player in here to

12:03>> [laughter]

12:03>> support our own. Oh, he said, "Nope, not

12:06me."

12:08>> He like he like soccer.

12:09>> Soccer?

12:10Oh, okay.

12:11>> We'll do soccer history next.

12:13>> Thank you again.

12:14Uh I'm going to open it up for the

12:16committee cuz I know that uh there's a

12:18lot of baseball fans here around the

12:21table and I can see through Councilman

12:23Council that he he is excited about

12:26baseball.

12:31>> But

12:32I mean I I just I I'm just so

12:36thrilled to just hear Jackie um and I

12:39just I just want to hear more of that

12:41history. I'm sure you you impart that on

12:44your kids every day at at school,

12:45but wow, just what we were able to learn

12:49and all these facts and tidbits that you

12:53were sharing about all these amazing

12:55teams. We need more of that. So, thank

12:58you for all the work you do.

13:00>> Thank you. Thank you. And thank you for

13:01honoring Johnny Britton. If if you don't

13:03really know, he was played for the the

13:06Harlem Globetrotters, yeah, which is an

13:08amazing feat. Amazing the Harlem

13:11Globetrotters. He was such a good guy.

13:13Um

13:14I can't say enough about him

13:16at at Fox Point. And not only just Fox

13:18Point, but the whole city. He was all

13:19about the kids through and through. Just

13:21a a good down-to-earth guy. And that was

13:23amazing what you did for him um cuz he's

13:25helped shape a lot of people, a lot of

13:27boys and girls. You know, there was um

13:30there's a person in our department, her

13:31name is Shannon Perry. She's our

13:32athletic director. She played on the

13:35boys teams that was coached by Johnny

13:37Britto. She went on to star at La Salle

13:40and she went on to play 4 years at

13:42Syracuse leading the Big East in

13:45rebounding against Providence College.

13:47She played against Providence College.

13:48So, there's so many amazing stories

13:50that, you know, thank you for allowing

13:52me to share them tonight that we should

13:54be so proud. And it's not just

13:56athletics, you know, obviously, you

13:57know, the city is is vibrant in all

13:59aspects, but, you know, our kind of

14:01little niche is is athletics and it's

14:03amazing, you know, that some of these

14:06stories, we don't want them to fade and

14:08we want the next generation to

14:09understand this because we're so rich in

14:11all kinds of history, you know, all

14:13kinds of sports. So, in major league,

14:16like that's the ultimate. You know, a

14:18lot of kids, including myself, grow up

14:20and wish they were in their dream is to

14:23play major league something and then

14:25reality sets in for most.

14:27>> [laughter]

14:28>> We've had some NBA players, some NFL

14:30players. We've had so much talent in the

14:32city. You know, even a gentleman named

14:34David Duke played 5 years at Duke. Went

14:36on to star at PC, played for the

14:38Brooklyn Nets. He's playing

14:39professionally now, just got married,

14:41had a baby. So proud of the man that

14:43he's become, not only just the the

14:45player. He made it to the ultimate

14:47summit, you know, the NBA, but he's a

14:49great family. Just a lot of little

14:50stories that and we like to and

14:52especially the rec department all all

14:54the way across,

14:56we like to honor

14:58people who came through, who did it the

15:00right way, worked hard, and their dreams

15:03come to fruition. And that's a good

15:05inspirational story for the next

15:06generation. Not everybody's going to

15:08make it, but strive to. You never know.

15:10You just never know.

15:11So,

15:13So,

15:13>> [laughter]

15:16>> No, I I just like to say one thing. I

15:18grew up with being a Mills.

15:20>> Excuse me. You have to admit to Uche

15:22Dartmouth on the record in order to

15:24Yeah.

15:24>> I'm so sorry.

15:26We'll never have a chance to talk.

15:27>> Never mind.

15:28>> If you want to, you can introduce

15:30yourself, come to the table, share your

15:31story.

15:31>> No, my name is

15:32>> I'm not cutting you off, come to the

15:33table.

15:34>> I'm sorry.

15:35My name is Stanley Craig and and my

15:37mother is one of the people that have

15:39been honored, but these names that you

15:41mentioned, I grew up with them.

15:43I grew up with David

15:45and Robert Craig.

15:46And then Will and

15:47and I I

15:49don't folks who are still playing

15:50baseball.

15:50>> did.

15:52And he had a tryout in the NFL as well.

15:54>> And Johnny Brito was my first coach.

15:56>> What did he

15:58>> Frankly, he was a surrogate father.

15:59>> Yes, and Chico Santos, he had Chico.

16:01>> Well, he was I saw black American.

16:07>> Thank you.

16:08>> You got us all excited

16:11>> They were a little bit older than I am,

16:13the gentlemen that he mentioned, but we

16:15looked up to them and a little bit, but

16:17not not a lot, but we looked up to them.

16:19Those Those were were people that we

16:21idolized and their word was law and you

16:24know what? There was so much respect for

16:26them and they showed so much respect in

16:29return to the kids. They

16:31They were amazing people, everybody that

16:32you just mentioned and that's why

16:34there's

16:35Roosevelt Benton is another one.

16:37You know, Rosie Benton, you know, we

16:39could go on, but that's why their names

16:41are on facilities and we try to teach

16:42the kids

16:43people don't get their name just thrown

16:45on a facility or

16:47a building. There's a reason why. Read

16:48the plaque, you know. So, that's why um

16:53Councilman, you know,

16:54at the center is we have a lot of

16:55plaques and we have a lot of information

16:57because it's education. You don't have

16:58to be standing there to educate the

17:00kids. They can learn on their own just

17:01walking through the facility and it

17:03works. It It really does work. So, so I

17:06was one of those kids, so it's

17:07sentimental to me.

17:09>> We're so fortunate to have you.

17:11>> I appreciate that. Thank you.

17:12>> as a city, you know, and what you do for

17:14young people, you know, there's

17:17definitely that leadership that's needed

17:19that has that same um

17:22momentum that you was able to get

17:24through the people that you were, you

17:27know, inspired by, you know?

17:28>> They absolutely. Thank you.

17:30>> And and being able to keep that alive in

17:32young people who sometimes forget

17:34because they got a lot of stuff, social

17:35media, got a lot of things. And a lot of

17:37things are not true. And being able to

17:40have a person like you who's passionate

17:41and being able to give it. The way you

17:43deliver the passion tonight Oh, okay.

17:46Imagine what the kids go through.

17:48>> I didn't know I was coming to a formal

17:49meeting, to be quite

17:51honest. Wait a second, can you just

17:52stop?

17:53There you go. But I appreciate it, you

17:54know, because those are the best.

17:56>> Yes.

17:58>> Sorry about my attire. I didn't

17:59>> This man was quietly here and did a

18:01wonderful job of telling us and and

18:03elevating the city and lifting the city

18:05up and letting us know that there's

18:06great history in the city.

18:08>> Right. And and we're still making it.

18:09>> Relating it back to some of the heroes.

18:13Yeah.

18:13>> But we we saved a lot of kids, but a lot

18:15of lot of kids saved us, too. It's a

18:16two-way street. And they they put you on

18:18the straight and narrow as well.

18:20Reality, they're very very truthful, and

18:23that's what we like, you know? And and

18:24it's important to get their view because

18:26if not, you know, this is not a one-way

18:28street. It's always a two-way street.

18:30So, you know, we just try to Someone did

18:33it for us, so it's our turn to give

18:35back,

18:36to be honest, you know? So,

18:38especially the Providence public school

18:39system that we've gone through, too.

18:41Um we've all gone through it, and you

18:43know,

18:44honestly, it's been very good to so many

18:46people. And you know,

18:49um

18:49I can't tell you the teachers, the

18:52coaches. And one is an amazing person,

18:54Bobby Palazzo at Classical. He's just

18:57[clears throat]

18:57He's taken I'm a good friend of mine. I

18:59I I graduated from there, but I mean all

19:01the schools and all the ADs,

19:03Bobby has taken it as a shrine at

19:05Classical High School. If you ever have

19:07an opportunity to stop by that gym,

19:11he's worked Saturdays, Sundays, money

19:13out of his own pocket. He's one of the

19:14most passionate people I've ever met.

19:17>> And and inspirational as well. So,

19:20there's still a lot of good

19:22inspirational people that are doing this

19:24currently, too. But, um but that was

19:26great for for Johnny Bravo. I just

19:27wanted to mention that again. He's He's

19:30iconic.

19:31>> Absolutely. So.

19:34>> Councilor, where are you?

19:35>> Yeah, uh

19:37>> I was

19:38You're not counselor?

19:39>> I just want to say thank you.

19:41>> Thank you.

19:41>> Thank you for inviting me.

19:43>> And please say I just I hope that there

19:45are more opportunities for the kids to

19:47learn all this history that you have in

19:49your head. I don't know if there's a

19:51workshop that you can I just want to

19:53take it cuz it's just I learned so much

19:55in this

19:57short amount of time about all this

19:58history. So, I'll I'll turn it over to

20:00the

20:01pro tem.

20:02>> Yeah, I'll second all that information

20:05and and what you just shared and and

20:07thanks to the president for bringing

20:09this up. Uh as a on the other side of of

20:13of the uh your backyard, I was in the

20:15Washington Park growing up and hearing

20:17these names uh

20:19and as a a a son of a of a country that

20:23loves baseball from the Dominican

20:24Republic, really inspired to always play

20:28and to learn more about the essence of

20:31baseball here in the city of Providence.

20:33Um even to learn in the areas of the

20:36South Providence where Rip Tide is.

20:38That's where the first uh

20:39sort of uh I don't know if it's the

20:41first, but

20:42stadium where people played baseball,

20:45but most importantly, it was influenced

20:47also for the introduction of also

20:50uh

20:51people of color like then played. Uh

20:54that those names come to fruition,

20:57uh whether it's uh you know, David

20:59Ortiz, but even back then, that's how

21:01the community

21:03tied it between Rhode Island and the

21:05Caribbean.

21:06>> Mhm.

21:06>> Uh, Cuba, Dominican Republic.

21:08>> Yeah.

21:09>> It was a heavy for them.

21:10>> Yeah, and as I learned over the years,

21:13uh,

21:13attending Royal and College, Dr. Frank

21:16Lisis, along with some other producers,

21:18created a a documentary that really

21:22pivots and adds to the story about the

21:25importance of baseball and the

21:26connectivity. And our new newer

21:29generation may be missing those links.

21:31So, this is a great opportunity to not

21:34only continue uh, the fanfare of

21:36baseball, but also inspire others. Just

21:39like Jeremy Peña, who has from the

21:41Elmwood South Side area and many others.

21:44Um, thank you for bringing this forward

21:46and I hope that we can add more to this

21:50legacy that we have in the city of

21:52Providence. Thank you.

21:53>> And thank you all for your time in

21:56making this come come to fruition,

21:57especially

21:59our Council President, Rachel Miller.

22:01Thank you.

22:02>> Councilwoman Nirva Graves.

22:04I know nothing about baseball, but I

22:06love it.

22:08But, thank you very much. It's great.

22:10>> [laughter]

22:11>> I know a lot of the names that were

22:13mentioned and and I like the people

22:15behind me. I know quite a few of them,

22:17so

22:18>> Yeah, absolutely.

22:19>> Very good. At this time, I'll take a

22:21motion uh,

22:24from the floor.

22:24>> So, moved.

22:26>> Uh,

22:26>> Second.

22:27>> Motion uh, motion been taken to approve

22:29this document and uh, second by

22:32Councilwoman Are you ready to make the

22:34motion?

22:35>> I'll make it.

22:36>> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. We did.

22:39>> As mentioned, yes, we did. I thought so.

22:42All right, so we're we're making a

22:44motion to

22:45approve this amendment, right?

22:46>> Yeah.

22:48>> But, first motion made by Councilwoman

22:51second by Councilman and tried

22:54All in favor.

22:55>> And we already have the

22:56>> Yeah, we already have the approval of

22:57the amendment like moved by Councilman

22:59Gonzalo

23:00and second by Councilwoman Graves.

23:02>> I think we just need

23:03>> We're going to add them back to the

23:04list.

23:05>> a discussion.

23:06>> Yes. All right. Thank you. What's going

23:09to happen? Is it going to go before the

23:10full council?

23:14>> All right. Thank you again.

23:15>> I'm betting I

23:16>> Yeah.

23:16>> Yeah. Reverend Gray.

23:17>> Yes. Yes, too.

23:18>> Yeah. Thank you.

23:20>> It'll be fun.

23:21>> Thank you.

23:22>> Thank you.

23:22>> Um Madam Clerk, if you don't mind, I'd

23:24like to take item three out of

23:27Look, item out of order.

23:28>> Okay.

23:29>> Item three.

23:30>> The tops.

23:31>> Yeah.

23:36>> Do we need to make a motion for that?

23:38>> Yeah, so um Madam Chair, we could make a

23:41motion to take item

23:43three

23:43>> out of order.

23:45Motion made, second by Councilwoman

23:48Gray. All in favor?

23:49>> All right.

23:50>> Okay.

23:52Um motion's been made, and now

23:55Councilman Clark

23:57Clark, please you please read item

24:03>> Item number three, resolution honoring

24:06the life, legacy, and extraordinary

24:08public service of Reverend E. Naomi

24:11Gray.

24:13>> So, we want you to come to the table. We

24:15got to excuse somebody. So, yeah.

24:18>> No, that's okay.

24:19>> Yeah.

24:20>> Thank you.

24:21>> We can get some more history.

24:32>> Hello.

24:33>> Welcome.

24:33>> How are you?

24:33>> Very good.

24:34>> My name is David Gray, and I'm the son

24:36of uh Reverend Reverend Gray.

24:39>> Welcome.

24:40>> Thank you.

24:40>> Proud to have you here tonight.

24:42>> I'm grateful

24:42>> And honored to hear this wonderful

24:44history. I had a chance to meet your

24:46mom.

24:47>> Oh, did you?

24:47>> Yes. Uh throughout the years.

24:50Been around quite a while. I mean, I

24:51didn't have a chance to meet her.

24:54Really great history. Want to know about

24:57her and you are here tonight to

24:59represent her and we're looking forward

25:01to hearing from you.

25:02>> Whoa, I didn't know I was going to

25:03speak, but

25:04>> Yeah, yeah,

25:05tell us a little about mom.

25:06>> And and if you

25:07>> Not about the cooking, we know that was

25:08good.

25:09>> And if you if you'd like, we we could

25:11have this spread verbally.

25:12>> that's right.

25:13>> All of that's Well, you might

25:15be better to read it cuz I don't need

25:17you know, I don't remember what

25:18everything that was in

25:19>> That's okay. Very good. All right, Madam

25:21Clerk, you may begin.

25:23Uh-huh.

25:24Go back.

25:25>> Whereas Reverend E. Naomi Craig was born

25:28in Providence, Rhode Island on April 6,

25:301917 and devoted nearly a century of her

25:33life to serving the people of Providence

25:35through faith, education, civil rights

25:38advocacy, public service, and community

25:41leadership. And whereas Reverend Craig

25:44was educated in the Providence public

25:46schools and graduated from Vineyard

25:48Street School where she was awarded the

25:50prestigious Anthony Medal in recognition

25:52of academic excellence and leadership.

25:54And whereas Reverend Craig dedicated 23

25:57years of service to the state of Rhode

25:59Island, retiring as a counselor for the

26:01Department of Employment Security,

26:03helping Rhode Islanders achieve economic

26:06self-sufficiency and opportunity. And

26:08whereas demonstrating her lifelong

26:10commitment to learning and personal

26:12growth, Reverend Craig enrolled in

26:14college immediately upon retirement,

26:16earning degrees from Roger Williams

26:18College, Barrington College, and Rhode

26:20Island College, graduating magna

26:22laude and becoming a powerful example

26:26that education has no age limit. And

26:28whereas Reverend Craig married Horace H.

26:31Craig in 1943 and together they became

26:34one of Providence's most respected

26:36families of public service, community

26:39leadership, and civic engagement. And

26:41whereas Reverend Craig played an

26:43instrumental role in the Fox Point

26:45neighborhood, serving as the first

26:47president of the Fox Point School PTA,

26:50helping establish its first Brownie

26:52troop, and earning an honorary life

26:54membership in recognition of her

26:56dedication to local children and

26:58families. And whereas Reverend Craig

27:00served for more than a decade on the

27:02Providence Human Relations Commission,

27:05worked to advance racial equality and

27:07understanding through the city, and

27:08served as secretary of the Governor's

27:11Advisory Commission on Aging. And

27:13whereas Reverend Craig later served as

27:15president of the Board of Directors of

27:18Bannister House, formerly the Home of

27:20Aged Colored Women, and remained a

27:22dedicated volunteer in service to Rhode

27:24Island's senior citizens. And whereas

27:27Reverend Craig was a pioneer in public

27:30health outreach, spearheading

27:31hypertension screening programs in black

27:33churches throughout Rhode Island, and

27:36receiving recognition from the Rhode

27:37Island Heart Association for creating

27:40innovative community health initiatives.

27:42And whereas Reverend Craig served in

27:45leadership positions with Alpha Kappa

27:47Alpha Sorority, the American Association

27:50of University Women, the Urban League,

27:53the National Association for the

27:55Advancement of Colored People, the

27:57Henrietta Boggs Black Social Workers

28:00Association of Rhode Island, the

28:02Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, and

28:04numerous other organizations dedicating

28:07to advancing civil rights, educational

28:09opportunity, social justice.

28:12And whereas Reverend Craig was a charter

28:14member of the Henrietta Boggs Black

28:17Social Workers Association, a life

28:19member of the NAACP, of the George G.

28:22LeCount

28:25Medal for community service in

28:27recognition of her distinguished

28:29service to the community. And whereas

28:31Reverend Craig participated in the

28:33historic 1963 March on Washington for

28:37Jobs and Freedom, where she witnessed

28:39Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a

28:41Dream speech firsthand, an experience

28:44that deepened an experience that

28:45deepened her lifelong commitment to

28:47civil rights and equality. And whereas

28:50Reverend Craig remained active in the

28:52struggle for racial justice throughout

28:55her life and returned to Washington,

28:57D.C. in 1993 for the 30th anniversary of

29:00the March on Washington. And whereas in

29:03June of 1996, Reverend Craig was

29:06ordained and installed as the pastor of

29:08historic Sheldon Street Church in the

29:10Fox Point neighborhood of Providence,

29:12becoming a transformative spiritual

29:14leader who revitalized one of the

29:16nation's oldest Cape Verdean

29:18congregations and strengthened its role

29:21as a pillar of the community. And

29:22whereas Reverend Craig was honored with

29:25the American Baptist National Jujitsu

29:29Jujitsu-o

29:30Morikawa Evangelism, sorry, um

29:35award for her significant leadership and

29:37holistic approach to ministry and

29:39evangelism. And whereas Reverend Craig

29:42received the Jefferson Award for public

29:45service, the Gene Hex Award for

29:47outstanding community involvement, the

29:49Dr. David Sweet Award for community

29:51service, the Robert W. Macreanor Senior

29:54Service Award, and numerous other honors

29:57recognizing her extra- extraordinary

30:00commitment to improving the lives of

30:02Rhode Islanders. And whereas in 1997,

30:05Reverend Craig was named Rhode Island

30:07Woman of the Year by the Rhode Island

30:09Commission on Women, one of the highest

30:11honors bestowed upon a woman in the

30:13state of Rhode Island. And whereas

30:15Reverend Craig's accomplishments and

30:17contributions were further recognized

30:19through her inclusion in Who's Who of

30:22American Women, celebrating women whose

30:24achievements significantly contributed

30:26to the advancement of American society.

30:29And whereas Reverend Craig served as

30:31co-chair of the Elder Minority Task

30:34Force, Secretary of the Long-Term Care

30:37Coordinating Council, Chaplain of the

30:39Rhode Island Cape Verdean Association,

30:42and maintained an active schedule as a

30:44public speaker, mentor, and advocate

30:47well into her later years. And whereas

30:50Reverend Craig and her husband, Horace

30:52Craig, were pioneers of Senior Journal,

30:56a television program produced by and for

30:58senior citizens. They amplified the

31:00voices and experiences of older Rhode

31:02Islanders. And whereas in recognition of

31:05their lifetime of service, the Fox Point

31:07community and members of Sheldon Street

31:09Church established the Horace and

31:10Reverend E. Naomi Craig Scholarship Fund

31:13in 2000 to expand educational

31:15opportunities for young people and

31:17ensure that future generations would

31:19benefit from their legacy. And whereas

31:22Reverend Craig was widely known

31:23throughout Rhode Island as a

31:24humanitarian, educator, mentor,

31:27philanthropist,

31:28philanthropist, evangelist, and

31:31community builder whose life embodied

31:34the value of service, faith, justice,

31:36and compassion. And whereas Reverend

31:39Reverend Craig passed away on February

31:411st, 2012 at the age of 94, leaving

31:45behind an extraordinary legacy of public

31:48service, faith, leadership, and

31:51community empowerment that continues to

31:53inspire generations of Providence

31:55residents. Now therefore, be it resolved

31:59that the Providence City Council hereby

32:01honors and celebrates the life, legacy,

32:04and countless contributions of Reverend

32:07Reverend E. Naomi Craig, whose

32:09extraordinary help, service, helped

32:12shape the city of Providence and improve

32:14the lives of countless residents. Be it

32:17further resolved that the city the

32:19Providence City Council hereby requests

32:21that the intersection of Hope Street and

32:24John Street, located in the heart of the

32:26historic Fox Point neighborhood she

32:28loved and served, be designated as

32:31Reverend E. Naomi Craig Memorial Square

32:34as a lasting tribute to her remarkable

32:36life and enduring contributions to the

32:39city of Providence.

32:40And be it further resolved that the

32:42Providence City Council recognizes

32:45Reverend E. Naomi Craig as a pioneering

32:48African-American and Cape Verdean faith

32:50leader, civil rights advocate, educator,

32:53and community servant whose legacy

32:55represents the very best of Providence's

32:58history and values. And be it further

33:00resolved that the city clerk be and here

33:03is by directed to transmit duly

33:05certified copies of this resolution to

33:08the family of Reverend E. Naomi Craig,

33:11the Historic Sheldon Street Church, the

33:13Fox Point Neighborhood Association, the

33:15Board of Directors of the Fox Point Cape

33:17Verdean Heritage Place Project, the Cape

33:20Verdean Museum, and to the City of

33:22Providence Department of Public Works

33:24for implementation. The sponsors here?

33:27Are you the sponsor?

33:28>> Yes, ma'am.

33:29>> Yes, sir.

33:30>> Um

33:30>> Are you going to vote or are you going

33:31to give it to the

33:32>> I'm I'm going to defer my time to Mr.

33:35>> Craig.

33:35>> Very good. All right.

33:37>> Okay.

33:38>> Thank you for that, by the way.

33:39>> Oh, yes.

33:40Yes. Yes. Anytime.

33:43>> She was an amazing woman. An an amazing

33:45person.

33:47The you know,

33:48we go back going back to the Fox Point

33:51Elementary School.

33:52She was the first president there, first

33:54president of the PTA.

33:56Senator the theater of Francis Green,

33:58every meeting she had him at the at

34:02every meet every time he was in town,

34:04she had him at the meeting at of the uh

34:07uh

34:07PTA, you know, the PTA down at Fox Point

34:10Elementary [clears throat] School. She

34:11knew everybody. I came home one time and

34:15I met Rosa Parks in my living room.

34:17And Rosa Parks took a cab

34:21and came, you know, came to our house to

34:23meet her, you know. Uh

34:26I've met more people John I met Johnny

34:28Cochran in my living room.

34:30You know, all of these people everybody

34:32was trying to get her on this side. It

34:35was an amazing thing.

34:37Uh

34:38you know,

34:39this was a pretty long sheet of paper

34:41that you had to read.

34:43But, I'll tell you something, that's

34:45only the tip of the iceberg.

34:47The I if

34:49I could go 2 more hours and then

34:50probably have to ask for more time.

34:52You know, it was amazing. I'll give you

34:54just one little vignette.

34:57We were in Washington, D.C. She was

35:00invited to

35:01We had We were having brunch in the Rose

35:03Garden with the Bushes, the senior

35:05Bushes.

35:07So, uh

35:08she was

35:10you know, she and Barbara Bush, my my

35:12wife, myself, my uh

35:15uh and my sister were all there.

35:17She We were having lunch in the in the

35:19Rose Garden.

35:21They brought in the Secretary of Health,

35:23Education, and Welfare, who was the only

35:27person of color in their cabinet,

35:29probably to make us feel good, you know,

35:31feel better.

35:33So, there there's all of a sudden at the

35:35end of the meeting, at the end of the

35:37brunch,

35:38the uh

35:39the secretary pulled out a cigarette

35:42from his from his pocket, stuck it in

35:44his mouth. He He didn't smoke it or

35:45anything. He just I guess that was just

35:47his thing, you know.

35:49So, Mrs. Bush was speaking with my

35:51mother. My mother said, "Just a minute."

35:53And she turned [clears throat] to to the

35:55secretary, and she said, "This is And

35:58this is almost verbatim." She said,

36:02"You're being privy to all the

36:03information at your hand.

36:05You have the unmitigated gall to pull

36:08out a cigarette and put it in your

36:10mouth. You ought to be ashamed of

36:12yourself." And then she turned back to

36:14Mrs. Bush, and she said, "Okay, you can

36:15continue."

36:18You know, she was

36:19She She was She was also on the board of

36:21trustees at at at at uh

36:23Rhode Island Hospital, and just about

36:26everything else in Providence.

36:28Uh

36:29I I could tell you

36:31things that

36:33first Well, she was

36:35a minister of the Cape Verdean church.

36:37She's not Cape Verdean. She knew nothing

36:39She learned Creole

36:42to be the minister.

36:44You [clears throat] know, she just

36:45learned and it took her no time at all.

36:47She played music at the at her church

36:50from the age of five.

36:52And the two people that that wrote the

36:55the two brothers that wrote the uh

36:58uh the black national anthem, you know,

37:01lift every voice,

37:03they came to the church and presented

37:05her with handwritten copies, handwritten

37:09note, you know, the music, the words,

37:11and everything. And you know, I got I

37:13got all this stuff at home. I was

37:15sitting at the at the hospital during

37:17her final illness.

37:20Barack Obama called her up. I took the

37:23phone, you know, and it's getting This

37:25is the office of the president of the

37:26United States from, you know,

37:27[clears throat]

37:28wanting to speak with Naomi Craig,

37:31Reverend E. Naomi Craig.

37:33So, I'm flabbergasted, you know. You

37:35know, he took like 45 minutes. He talked

37:37with my mother and he talked with

37:39everybody all the the the nurses,

37:41everybody who was in this spent 45

37:43minutes of his time talking to people

37:45that they She knew everybody.

37:48So, this is a huge honor, you know,

37:52uh

37:52you know, to be honored by the city that

37:55she loved and they both loved and they

37:58both were amazing. My father's just, you

38:00know, he didn't he couldn't speak like

38:02my mother. You couldn't shut my mother

38:03up. You can't shut me up, you know.

38:05>> [laughter]

38:06>> So, uh but they were amazing people and

38:09I'm so glad that they're being

38:10recognized, you know, I'm

38:13just

38:14you know, overwhelmed and I appreciate

38:16it. And

38:19I just wanted to say that other guy I

38:20knew everybody he talked about.

38:23>> [laughter]

38:23>> I grew up with them.

38:24>> [clears throat]

38:25>> You know, I

38:26you know I'm at Whole Foods Market.

38:27>> Oh, yeah.

38:28>> [laughter]

38:29>> So, it was it's just amazing and I

38:31appreciate it.

38:33And I'm glad you had a chance to meet

38:34her.

38:35>> I did. I was

38:36>> Did you ever hear her speak?

38:37>> I have and you're right about people. It

38:40was people who definitely wanted her. It

38:43was the darkest time in our city.

38:45>> Yeah. Time that was during

38:47Cornell Young. And they brought her to

38:50the table cuz all the pastors came. The

38:52pastors got really

38:54active and very involved. One of the

38:56pastors that I were affiliated with was

38:58Pastor Washington. He was

39:00>> Yeah.

39:00>> somewhere else. But they all called her

39:02to the table and that's how I got to

39:04meet her.

39:04>> And not only that

39:05>> An amazing speaker.

39:06>> Right. She had dementia at the time.

39:09>> Amazing.

39:09>> You know, and and but

39:11in times of crisis, she just rose above

39:14it all and and things just fell into

39:16place.

39:16>> Nobody knew that.

39:17>> Uh yeah, Cornell Young. I remember that.

39:19That was

39:20>> Nobody knew because she was just

39:22Uh the she the way she spoke around the

39:24table, it brought peace had to be

39:27brought to the city.

39:28And at that time, people were just

39:31really just, you know,

39:33>> Right.

39:34Yeah, yeah. That's when Johnny Cochran

39:37came back.

39:38>> Exactly. And Johnny Cochran was also in

39:40the room and that's exactly what they

39:41did. I remember them bringing her right

39:43to the table

39:45as a part of the conversation and

39:47>> I I was so shocked at how shorty was.

39:53But it it it was really something what

39:56she did. She uh

39:58I I just don't even know where to

40:00stop, you know. She she just was

40:03amazing. She she did amazing things in

40:05churches.

40:06You know, uh that was the foundation of

40:09everything. She trained major league uh

40:14uh

40:14gospel singers that go have gone all

40:17over the nation, you know, uh

40:20everything she touched worked.

40:22>> Yeah.

40:23>> You know, it was it was just amazing how

40:25she did it.

40:25>> Yeah.

40:26>> So, that basically is unless you want

40:29another couple hours.

40:32But, uh

40:33if you had a chance the church the Cape

40:35Verdean church that we were talking

40:37about

40:38she

40:40if there was 17 people it was a pri-

40:42it's the first Protestant Cape Verdean

40:44church in the United States.

40:46There were only 17 people in it. You

40:48know, you know the way it was. It was it

40:50was dying.

40:51By the end of the first year, and she

40:54was 80 when she became a minister.

40:56>> Wow.

40:58>> By the end of the first year there were

40:59460 people

41:01that were on the rolls of that church.

41:03>> [clears throat]

41:03>> Not only that, they put uh

41:07seats out on the sidewalk. There were

41:09loud speakers on sidewalk. People would

41:12come sit there, you know, and when she

41:15during the end when she had

41:17dementia, she had dementia pretty badly.

41:21I would bring her down to to uh

41:24India Point Park.

41:25And cuz she liked to watch the boats in

41:27the water and everything, and whatever

41:29she wanted to do I did.

41:32I'd sit her in a wheelchair and she'd be

41:34over on the side and I'd sit on the

41:35bench cuz I,

41:36>> [clears throat]

41:36>> you know, couldn't sit on the ground.

41:38And

41:39within 15 minutes there was a crowd of

41:42young people around her. All the time

41:44every time we went down and there were

41:46people young people [clears throat]

41:47sitting on the ground, doctors, you

41:50know, uh psychologists, psychiatrists,

41:52sitting there on the ground

41:55listening to what she had to say. You

41:56know, she would and I would look at her

41:58and she was just going like this.

42:01You know, teaching and and was really

42:05out completely out of it, you know.

42:08There's no just no understanding of the

42:11things that she could do.

42:13So

42:14And and we had a scholarship the the

42:16scholarship that he taught he was the

42:18first kid to get it.

42:19>> Yeah.

42:20>> Yeah.

42:20>> [laughter]

42:23>> The the scholarship that he got

42:25her belief in the education.

42:27>> Wonderful.

42:28>> This scholarship was for kids from fifth

42:30grade to the eighth grade.

42:32You know and to go to private schools.

42:36And the reason her reasoning for it

42:38instead of the usual high school to

42:40college kind of thing her reasoning was

42:44once they get to high school you've

42:46already lost most of them.

42:47>> Mhm.

42:48>> The whole object of education is to get

42:51them while they're in informative years

42:54to build the right kind of habits good

42:57habits.

42:58And that's what she did you know that's

43:00what this whole scout that whole

43:01scholarship was about and it's still

43:03continuing you know and

43:05you have once again I just forgot this

43:07too. I have an old people's job.

43:10I'm aging. You know.

43:12>> Mhm.

43:12>> So I have an old people's job and

43:15and uh I didn't have time he just called

43:18me the last minute.

43:19>> Yeah. I'm sorry.

43:20>> I didn't have time.

43:20>> I didn't realize that this was going to

43:22be today either.

43:23>> Yeah. So I mean it was that's why I'm

43:25dressed like I'm dressed so I said there

43:27you go.

43:28>> You're human.

43:29>> Yeah.

43:29>> You know.

43:30>> Basically.

43:30>> Living.

43:31>> Basically.

43:32>> wear is what we are.

43:33>> So I want to thank you again.

43:35>> Well we did

43:37really pay attention to your attire is

43:39the way that you were speaking and the

43:41history. Your mom was amazing. I'm

43:44telling you uh

43:46you were right about people called her

43:48you know like you said even in her

43:50failing

43:51illness I didn't even know at that time

43:53but I do remember meeting her around the

43:55table with these

43:57all these big

43:58>> big shots

43:59>> pastors and big shots and you know

44:02>> And most of those pastors

44:04came to her you know you would be

44:06surprised you'd be surprised at the

44:08number of public figures, political

44:11figures in this state

44:12>> Right.

44:13>> who would call her for counseling and

44:14advice.

44:15You know, and she would sit with them on

44:17the phone. You know, she

44:19When [clears throat] Barack Obama lost

44:21his first election, my mother had

44:23something to do with getting

44:25Michelle into the sorority.

44:27When Barack Obama lost his first

44:29election,

44:31he wrote, you know,

44:33Michelle told my mother and uh uh

44:35everything. So, my mother was

44:36communicating directly with Barack Obama

44:39when Barack Obama was just starting out.

44:42Do you know, he the two of them would

44:44write letters to each other.

44:46And they would pray

44:48by mail.

44:50Barack Obama and my mother, this was

44:52before he became Barack [clears throat]

44:53Obama,

44:54you know? And and

44:56and when he became

44:58you know, was elected,

45:00they sent my mother all all kinds of

45:03invitations, handwritten invitations.

45:06Come to everything. You know, we we

45:09Mind you, now but she was in her 90s.

45:11You know, she was old then.

45:13But

45:14you know, it was just the way she was.

45:17You know, so she deserves everything you

45:19can get.

45:21>> [laughter]

45:21>> You know, she really does.

45:23>> You know, I'm trickling my mind. I

45:25actually was sitting next to her and

45:27Bobby Rush.

45:28That's how I got to the table, Bobby

45:30Rush. So, yeah. I got a Yeah, it was a

45:32privilege to have the opportunity. And

45:34you're right. She spoke with such

45:36clarity and And people listened. I mean,

45:39around that table, people were

45:40listening.

45:41>> One more observation.

45:43I don't want to mean to keep you too

45:45late. But one more observation.

45:49In the black church, the black churches,

45:52for whatever reason, I don't understand

45:54it,

45:55black ministers feel that the louder

45:57you're speaking, the more the better

46:00you're preaching. You know, my mother

46:01never did that. She never Everything she

46:04said was quiet, was sought,

46:07well-thought-out.

46:08You know, made sense. You could listen

46:11to her, understand, and remember just

46:14because stuff made sense, not because

46:16the volume was bombarding you, you know?

46:19And that's how that church

46:21down on Sheldon Street became what it

46:24was, you know?

46:25So, just by good speaking, you know,

46:28community Every Of course, everybody

46:30knew what to

46:32There you go.

46:34>> Councilman Grandstaff.

46:36>> Beautiful. It was It's all been said.

46:38And I just want to thank you for sharing

46:42your mother's story and

46:44I think it's just such an honor that the

46:46city will be able to honor her life and

46:48her legacy. So, thank you.

46:50>> Thank you.

46:51>> I don't want to cut any committee

46:53members off or anybody.

46:55Yeah.

46:56I got to go.

46:57>> I'm sorry. I missed it.

46:59>> [laughter]

46:59>> I meant to my I meant to I couldn't

47:01split myself.

47:03>> You know my mom.

47:04>> I've met I've met your mom. Yeah, I

47:06My mom

47:08knew your mom.

47:09>> Yeah.

47:10>> So, yes.

47:12Um and what a fabulous woman. So.

47:15>> It's such a small [clears throat] world.

47:17This is such a small city, you know.

47:19>> That's what I love about private life.

47:21>> I'm I'm sitting here listening to that

47:22guy before me and I just knew

47:25I played ball with David Rhodes and

47:27Bells Benton and all of those guys and

47:30even Joe Folks. Yeah. You know, I knew

47:33all of those people. Charlie Thomas was

47:35and Joe and

47:36and

47:38Johnny Britton were my mentors, you

47:40know?

47:42>> Well, I'm going to tell Chico what you

47:44said.

47:46>> Chico Chico [laughter] Chico used to

47:47play with the older kids.

47:51Chico Chico used to play

47:52>> Chico is still here.

47:53>> Chico Chico

47:54Chico used to play with us. You know, he

47:56used to think he could play, you know?

47:58He used to think he could play

47:59basketball with the big guys, you know?

48:02He would get out there and get it get

48:04slapped down.

48:05>> [laughter]

48:06>> But he was a good kid. He was hard

48:08nosed, you know? He was just so hard

48:10nosed, he would fall down and get right

48:12back up and then jump right at you

48:13again, you know?

48:15But David Lopes was the one that used to

48:17get slapped around.

48:21>> Have you started a book yet?

48:24>> You know something that I've been

48:25thinking about.

48:26>> it right now. Start that book cuz from

48:28here we know that there's more that need

48:31to be told.

48:31>> Yeah.

48:32>> Don't hesitate. Don't

48:34start the book.

48:34>> Okay.

48:36All right.

48:36>> It's

48:37John knows how to get you started.

48:42>> I do a lot of writing, you know? I

48:45But I write technical stuff, you know?

48:47But I've done a lot of writing during my

48:49work career.

48:50>> Yeah.

48:51Send him to You sent him to school. Now

48:53he can write.

49:01>> You know something? This guy as a little

49:03boy

49:04>> [laughter]

49:05>> All right. He was as a little boy he

49:08was he was old before his time, you

49:10know? He was never young. He was never

49:13playing with young kids

49:15doing the little kid stuff. He was

49:17always a politician. I mean, from the

49:19time

49:19>> [laughter]

49:19>> from the time he was 12, you know?

49:23I mean, you would please to a man who

49:25says so.

49:35This guy had no fear.

49:37>> No.

49:38>> He was wasn't ever intimidated by

49:41anybody. A little boy with with the

49:43skinniest little knock knees right in

49:44there starting to laugh.

49:46>> Oh, yes.

49:48>> He would get right up there. He would

49:50get right up there and and and and talk

49:53with you just like on on your on your

49:55level. You know, that's it. So, I'm I'm

49:58so proud of him.

49:59I'm so glad he did.

50:00>> I want to stand on the shoulders of

50:02giants.

50:03>> Amen. Amen.

50:04>> Yes, so wow. Thank you.

50:06>> So, I would take a motion to

50:08>> Can I can I make the motion?

50:10>> Yes.

50:11>> Yes, um thank you, chairwoman, and

50:13thanks, council president, and thank

50:14you, all the members of the committee. I

50:17I proudly um make the motion to um

50:21to approve this item, item number three.

50:24>> And there's a second.

50:26A motion seconded by Councilwoman

50:28Graves. All in favor?

50:30>> Aye.

50:32>> Motion is passed, and we will draft and

50:36make a positive report to the full

50:37council.

50:38>> Okay.

50:38>> So, you're welcome to come back and to

50:41the council meeting to see it being come

50:44along.

50:44>> Sure. I'd love to. Just let me know when

50:46it is. And give give me like, you know,

50:48a couple of hours.

50:49>> Yeah, whenever you and when when we

50:52eventually get this

50:53fabricated. Oh, yes, you know, you were

50:55talking to me.

50:56>> Yeah, a week from today?

50:57>> All right, Tuesday, Thursday, a week

50:58from today.

50:59>> Okay.

50:59>> Yeah,

51:00and and eventually when

51:026:00.

51:04>> Okay.

51:04>> And um yeah, I mean, all the stories

51:07that you told, I I hope that yeah,

51:10whenever we get this fabricated,

51:12hopefully very shortly, um

51:15you can share all those stories with our

51:17>> Oh, there's so many more, you know.

51:19>> Yeah. Well, same for the event.

51:22Same for the event.

51:24>> Thank you so much.

51:24>> Okay, thank you.

51:26>> Sure, glad thank you so much.

51:28And thank you enough.

51:31>> Council clerk.

51:31>> Good bye. Thank you.

51:35>> Item number two.

51:37>> Grants.

51:38>> Resolutions honoring the life, legacy,

51:41and public service of former councilman

51:44Robert C. Bob Clarkin.

51:49>> So, um

51:50>> this this is also another another item

51:53and I won't have this read cuz it's it's

51:55very long

51:57but

51:58Councilman Clarkin

52:00his family actually still lives in in

52:02the neighborhood and

52:04it's kind of interesting because there

52:06are a lot of council people who have

52:07things that are named after them.

52:10You know, Carolyn Brazil for example who

52:13has a park named after her the Brazil

52:15Park.

52:16But Councilman Clarkin he he was just

52:19like this very unassuming

52:22councilman

52:23and again his family still lives in the

52:25neighborhood and

52:27I just he's done so much for for the

52:29community. I know they couldn't make it

52:31tonight to share more about his life and

52:33his legacy but

52:35he did a lot

52:37in the in the 60s

52:39was big for just like the fire fighters

52:42in the in the city of Providence worked

52:44a lot on the pension issue

52:47and [clears throat] I just wanted to

52:48recognize his his contributions to our

52:51community. So

52:53just very similar in that being wanted

52:56to make sure that we were able to

52:59recognize his his service. So

53:02Thank you Madam Chair.

53:03>> Thank you.

53:04Any other special want to tell everybody

53:08I make a motion to

53:11Motion to second

53:14second by

53:16all in favor

53:17>> I

53:19>> Well thank you again for all of this

53:21great history that happened tonight.

53:24If there's no further business before us

53:26let's

53:27make a motion entertain a motion to

53:30>> Motion to adjourn.

53:31>> Yes.

53:31>> Second.

53:32>> Thank you.

53:33Motion to me second all in favor

53:35>> I