RESOLUTION NO. 220517

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Recognizing June 7, 2022, as Kevin Strickland Day.

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Whereas, Kevin Strickland was born to a Kansas City, Missouri family on June 7, 1959; and in his youth enjoyed baseball, fishing, family, and friends; and

Whereas, Kevin Strickland was a lifelong resident of Kansas City until he was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned following a 1978 violent crime; and

Whereas, Kevin Strickland maintained his innocence; and persisted in his quest for freedom over 43 unimaginably difficult years and was ultimately found factually innocent of the crime and released from confinement; and

Whereas, Kevin Strickland has returned to the Kansas City community as an example of tenacity, strength, and courage and after having served the longest known wrongful conviction in the state of Missouri, Kevin Strickland is impacting this state-and the nation by speaking out about the effects of wrongful convictions; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Strickland encourages you-fellow members of the Kansas City community-to be active participants in the Criminal-Legal system, vote in local elections, and we must ensure our juries reflect the community appropriately; Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

                     That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize June 7, 2022, as Kevin Strickland Day in Kansas City, Missouri; 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 Kevin Strickland with the appreciation of the Mayor and Council for his courage, strength, and leadership in the advocacy against wrongful convictions. 

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