[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1000 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1000

           Commemorating the Akron Urban League's centennial.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 14, 2026

 Mrs. Sykes submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
           Commemorating the Akron Urban League's centennial.

Whereas, for 100 years, the Akron Urban League has served the community of Akron 
        and Summit County;
Whereas, in 1918, when Akron was tasked with meeting the social needs of its 
        increasing Black population, Attorney Thomas E. Green, Rev. R.A. Jones, 
        Rev. E.J. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Williams Hardy, and Mrs. Elbertha Turner 
        requested assistance from the local Young Men's Christian Association as 
        a part of this initiative;
Whereas, in April 1919, the Young Men's Christian Association responded by 
        hiring George W. Thompson to coordinate Black activities;
Whereas, in 1925, the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company pledged $10,000 to be 
        administered by the Better Akron Federation for work with Black 
        community citizens;
Whereas the $10,000 would be governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for 
        allocating the public funds;
Whereas a 5-member committee was also appointed to study and make 
        recommendations on the social needs of Black people in the community;
Whereas this committee consisted of University of Akron President, Dr. Park 
        Noble, Vice President of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, C.W. 
        Seiberling, President of Babcox Publishing Company, E.S. Babcox, 
        President of Depositors Savings and Trust Company, Charles Herberick, 
        Attorney J.B. Huber, and Assistant Treasurer of Firestone Tire and 
        Rubber Company, Homer C. Campbell;
Whereas, in March 1925, the Association for Colored Community Work was created 
        during a meeting at Firestone's home;
Whereas, in 1944, the Association's name was changed to the Akron Community 
        Service Center after Thompson hired University of Akron student Raymond 
        R. Brown to help run the Association;
Whereas, in May 1950, the new Akron Community Service Center and Urban League 
        was constructed at 250 East Market Street and included amenities that 
        were lacking for the Black community such as a gymnasium, a swimming 
        pool, meeting rooms, classrooms, a library, lounges, and a kitchen;
Whereas this community center became a safe haven for the Black community, 
        offering recreational programs for children and adults when no other 
        facilities in Akron would allow them through the doors;
Whereas, in the early 2000s, the Akron Urban League moved to Vernon Odom 
        Boulevard in Akron and remains dedicated to creating new programs, 
        expanding its reach, and investing in the economic success of the 
        community;
Whereas the Akron Urban League has served thousands of people by providing 
        programs and services that emphasize education, job training, economic 
        development, antiviolence, health and wellness, and mentoring; and
Whereas the Akron Urban League remains one of 88 affiliates of the National 
        Urban League and continues to be a driving force behind the employment 
        of minority workers in the Akron and Summit community: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors and commemorates the 100 years of work to 
        empower communities, strengthen families, and open doors of 
        opportunity by the Akron Urban League;
            (2) recognizes the generational impact that the Akron Urban 
        League has had on the city of Akron and the residents of Summit 
        County; and
            (3) encourages the Akron Urban League to continue its 
        mission to improve the quality of life of the citizens of 
        Summit County, particularly African Americans, through economic 
        self-reliance and social empowerment for another 100 years.
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