RESOLUTION NO. 241100

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Sponsor:  Mayor Quinton Lucas

RESOLUTION - Honoring Mrs. Darcus Speed Gates for her remarkable singing career and for her continued generosity to Kansas City.

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WHEREAS, Mrs. Darcus Gates grew up on the East Side of Kansas City, before leaving for Los Angeles at the age of 15 then for Las Vegas, where she would pursue a career in music and meet her future husband, Mr. George Gates; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 18, Darcus Speed Gates signed a deal with RCA Records, and subsequently led a successful three decades as a star singer at venues across the Las Vegas Strip, performing alongside Johnny Mathis, Gladys Knight, Frank Sinatra, Smokey Robinson, and others, before returning to Kansas City in the late 2000s; and

WHEREAS, since her return, Mrs. Gates has channeled her creative spirit back into the community, notably creating and hosting “Darcus After Dark,” every Friday night in the lounge at Gates Bar-B-Q on 12th Street and Brooklyn Avenue; and

WHEREAS, “Darcus After Dark” serves as a platform for homegrown artists to find their voice and develop their skills on stage, as they aspire toward careers as bright and enduring as that of Darcus Speed Gates; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City is privileged to be the home of Mrs. Darcus Speed Gates, who continues to be a generous and exemplary citizen, and an extraordinary talent; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council wish to honor Mrs. Darcus Speed Gates for a career of exceptional liveliness and longevity, and thank Mrs. Gates for bringing her gifts back to Kansas City; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Mrs. Darcus Speed Gates with the recognition of the Mayor and Council.

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