IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of former State Senator Mary Groves Bland.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 19095, February 29, 2016
INTRODUCED BY Alfred Jordan, Crystal Williams, Theresa Galvin, Garry Baker, Tony
Miller, Scott Burnett, Dennis Waits, Dan Tarwater III, Greg Grounds, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Mary Groves Bland, former Missouri State Senator, Missouri State Representative, and community leader, passed away February 19, 2016; and,
WHEREAS, from 1980 to 2004, Senator Bland served in the Missouri General Assembly where she advocated for legislation relating to the disabled, social services, health, and education; and,
WHEREAS, Senator Bland was voted the Most Influential African American in Kansas City and received awards from numerous organizations, including Blacks in Government, the Alliance of Alumni Association of the University of Missouri, the Missouri Department of Health, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Tony Boyland Outstanding Legislator, and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; and,
WHEREAS, Senator Bland had a long history of community leadership including election as the first woman President of Freedom, Inc., and serving on many boards and committees, including service to the Niles Home for Children, the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, the Minority Business Advocacy Commission, the Minority Health Advisory Committee, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and the St. James Paseo United Methodist Church; and,
WHEREAS, Senator Bland was committed to serving the senior citizens and youth of her district ensuring that all seniors received baskets for Easter, turkeys for Thanksgiving, and giving away bikes to children; and,
WHEREAS, Senator Bland was known as an inspirational and gracious leader who cared deeply for the underprivileged and the elderly; and,
WHEREAS, funeral services for Senator Bland will be held March 5, 2016, at St. James United Methodist Church, with a wake to be held March 4, 2016, at the Watkins Heritage Funeral Chapel; and,
WHEREAS, Senator Bland was loved by all who knew her, and she will missed by her family and friends; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature recognizes the life and extraordinary achievements of Senator Mary Groves Bland, and extends its deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 19095 of February 29, 2016, was duly passed on February 29, 2016 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