IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of former Kansas City Mayor Richard “Dick” Berkley who passed away November 29, 2023.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21501, December 11, 2023
INTRODUCED BY DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, and Sean E. Smith, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, former Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Richard "Dick" Berkley passed away November 29, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, born as Richard Berkowitz in 1931, Dick Berkley embarked on a journey of academic excellence, obtaining his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School in 1957; and,
WHEREAS, Dick Berkley was instrumental in the success of the Kansas City-based Tension Corporation, formerly known as Tension Envelope Corporation, where he served as treasurer and as a member of the company's board of directors; and,
WHEREAS, Dick Berkley's commitment to public service was exemplified during his tenure on the City Council of Kansas City, Missouri from 1969 to 1979, where he served as mayor pro tem from 1971 to 1979, and in 1979, he was elected the 50th mayor of Kansas City, serving until 1991, making him the longest serving Kansas City mayor; and,
WHEREAS, Mayor Dick Berkley's remarkable leadership left an indelible mark on the region, as he championed a federal investigation into the tragic Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in 1981 and spearheaded over 700 capital improvement projects, including the significant expansion of the Bartle Hall Convention Center and the revitalization of the Quality Hill neighborhood; and,
WHEREAS, the Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park stands as a testament to Mayor Berkley's enduring contributions to the city, providing a space for reflection and recreation along the Missouri River, symbolizing his dedication to the community and the development of the Riverfront; and,
WHEREAS, Mayor Berkley's visionary advocacy for the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri (Port KC) has led to transformative development of the riverfront area, and he will be interred at a memorial site within the Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park, honoring his commitment to the city's progress and growth; and,
WHEREAS, Mayor Berkley's unwavering support for the clean-up and redevelopment of the Riverfront Development adjacent to Berkley Riverfront Park has paved the way for Port KC's impressive development, encompassing luxury apartments, retail spaces, a boutique hotel, and the groundbreaking first worldwide stadium purpose-built for a women's professional sports team, expected to open in March 2024; and,
WHEREAS, Richard Berkley, alongside his wife, Sandy, shared a life of love and commitment, raising two children, Elizabeth and Jon, and creating a family that reflects the values of dedication, service, and community; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri that the Legislature hereby honors and remembers the life, achievements, and contributions of Richard "Dick" Berkley, a dedicated public servant, astute business leader, and visionary advocate, whose impact will forever resonate in the heart of our city.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21501 of December 11, 2023, was duly passed on December 11, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______9_________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ___0______ Absent _____0_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature