RESOLUTION NO. 230188

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Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Robinson

RESOLUTION - Recognizing the Honorable Mayor Jalen Smith as Mayor of Kansas City for the day.

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WHEREAS, Jaylen Smith was elected Mayor of Earle Arkansas on December 6, 2022, and sworn in January 1, 2023, making him the youngest African-American mayor elected in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Jaylen Smith graduated from Earle High School, May 2022, through his work in the Student Government Association (SGA) and other leadership positions, made him passionate and determined about serving his community at a higher level; and

WHEREAS, prior to becoming Mayor of Earle, Arkansas Jalen hosted several community events such as city clean ups, food give aways for senior citizens, water drives, bicycle rides, and voter registration drives; and

WHEREAS, some of Honorable Mayor Smith's vision for Earle Arkansas includes a rebuild by ridding Earle, Arkansas of abandoned homes, making the police department operate 24 hours, create jobs for the youth and implement public transportation to grocery stores; and

WHEREAS, Honorable Mayor Jaylen Smith is a student at Arkansas State University Mid-South and has received numerous awards including on February 18, 2023, the President's Award of the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus at the organization's 2023 King Kennedy Award, and an interview on the nationally syndicated "Jennifer Hudson Show"; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council of Kansas City hereby honor and congratulate the Honorable Mayor Jaylen Smith upon his election of the great city of Earle Arkansas, commend him for his service and extend to him all rights and privileges as the City of Kansas City's MAYOR FOR THE DAY, and best wishes for every future success; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in tes...

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