ORDINANCE NO. 220732

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Honoring Fernando Paiz, internationally recognized entrepreneur, business leader, humanitarian, philanthropist and President of La Ruta Maya Foundation, along with his entire professional team for their persistence and unprecedented efforts to help bring “MAYA: The Great Jaguar Rises” exhibition to Kansas City’s Union Station with the purpose of sharing and celebrating the rich and important history, traditions, contributions and living legacy of the Maya civilization.

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WHEREAS, in the tropical rainforests of Central America, the Classical Maya civilization reached improbable heights then mysteriously collapsed, and yet descendants still live and have succeeded in preserving their identity, languages and traditions thereby giving us direct access to understand and appreciate one of the most consequential civilizations to ever live; and

WHEREAS, beginning August 19, 2022, Union Station will host MAYA: The Great Jaguar Rises - one of the largest touring exhibitions ever mounted about the ancient and enduring Maya civilization; and

WHEREAS, through world-class encounters with history and culture, embodied in exhibitions like MAYA: The Great Jaguar Rises, citizens of Kansas City and beyond are afforded valuable opportunities to further focus on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, including and as applied to our local and regional Hispanic and Latino communities; and

WHEREAS, the historic exhibition was curated by an international panel of experts, including historians, archaeologists, and renowned experts in Maya art, architecture, writing, religion, warfare and daily life; and

WHEREAS, Fernando Paiz of Guatemala City, Guatemala, as President of La Ruta Maya Foundation, directly and with his professional team, exhibited unprecedented and persistent attention in securing countless levels of permissions, releases and official clearances required for the nearly 300 cultural artifacts to travel to Kansas City; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby extend their thanks and appreciation to Fernando Paiz, President of La Ruta Maya Foundation, and his entire professional staff for substantially supporting the enormous efforts to bring MAYA: The Great Jaguar Rises exhibition to Union Station’s Bank of America Gallery; 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 Fernando Paiz in token of the Mayor and Council’s thanks for his influence, intervention and dedication to provide an exhibition of such international importance and prestige.

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