#8 Celebrate Abraham Lincoln's visit to Janesville (Res. #2009-632)
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE MEMORANDUM
August 13, 2009
TO: City Council
FROM:Rebecca Smith, Management Assistant
SUBJECT: Action on a proposed resolution celebrating the 150th year of Abraham
Lincoln’s visit to the City of Janesville. (File Res. No. 2009-632)
Request
City Manager Eric Levitt received a request from Mr. Jim Hay of the First
Congregational United Church of Christ asking that a resolution regarding the 150th
year of Abraham Lincoln’s visit to the City of Janesville be placed on an upcoming
Council agenda.
Recommendation
City Manager staff recommends the Council pass resolution 2009-632.
Suggested Motion
I move to approve file resolution 2009-632 to celebrate the 150th year of Abraham
Lincoln’s visit to the City of Janesville.
Background
President Abraham Lincoln was our country’s sixteenth president and is known around
the world for his role in freeing African Americans from slavery and leading our country
through the American Civil War.
During the first weekend of October 1859 Lincoln visited Janesville and stayed with the
William M. Tallman family. The Tallman family home in which Lincoln stayed is now the
Lincoln-Tallman House, a community resource for the public that is owned by the
citizens of Janesville and operated by the Rock County Historical Society. During his
visit, a few months before he was elected president, he met with community members
about his hatred for slavery and also attended the First Congregational Church in
Janesville.
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To celebrate the 150 year of his visit to Janesville, the First Congregational United
Church of Christ and the Rock County Historical Society will be organizing several
events on September 27, 2009 to recognize his visit and acknowledge his
accomplishments. Please find attached information from them regarding their special
events. The State of Wisconsin also has special information about President Lincoln
available to the public through their website (http://lincoln200.wisconsin.gov/).
Mr. Hay of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and representatives from
the Rock County Historical Society will be present at the August 24 council meeting.
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Jacob J. Winzenz, Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services
FILE RESOLUTION NO. 2009-632
A Resolution Celebrating the 150th Year of Abraham Lincoln’s Visit to Janesville,
Wisconsin
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WHEREAS
, the week of September 27, 2009 will mark the 150 anniversary of Lincoln’s visit
to Janesville, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS
, during his visit to Janesville, Lincoln stayed with the William M. Tallman family,
and spoke to community members about his hatred for slavery; and
WHEREAS
, the Tallman family home in which Lincoln stayed is now the Lincoln-Tallman
House, a community resource for the public that is owned by the citizens of Janesville and
operated by the Rock County Historical Society; and
WHEREAS
, during his visit, Lincoln also attended the First Congregational Church in
Janesville; and
WHEREAS
, President Abraham Lincoln began his career as a lawyer; then was elected to
the Illinois General Assembly; served in the US House of Representatives, and was elected
the 16th President of the United States in 1860 a few months after his visit to Janesville; and
WHEREAS
, being a slavery opponent, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in
1863 which promoted the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution,
outlawing slavery; and
WHEREAS
, President Abraham Lincoln is known throughout the world for his role in freeing
African Americans from slavery and leading our country through the American Civil War; and
WHEREAS
, Janesville’s First Congregational United Church of Christ will be recognizing
Lincoln’s achievements and celebrating his visit to Janesville and their church by holding
special events on September 27, 2009; and
WHEREAS
, the Rock County Historical Society will also be hosting community events in
celebration of Lincoln’s visit to Janesville; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET BE IT RESOLVED Bythe Common Council of the City of
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Janesville
, on this 24 day of August 2009 that all residents of the City of Janesville should
celebrate the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s visit to our community by recognizing his
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accomplishments as the 16 president of our country and his powerful voice to end slavery.
Motion by:
ADOPTED:
Second by:
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
APPROVED:
Brunner
McDonald
Perrotto
Eric Levitt, City Manager
Rashkin
Steeber
ATTEST:
Truman
Voskuil
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Assistant City Attorney
Proposed by:
Prepared by: Management Assistant
Tentative Rock County Historical Society Schedule of Events for September 27, 2009
For questions, contact RCHS at 756-4509.
1:15PM: Parade on Jackson Street from the First Congregational United Church of Christ to the
Lincoln-Tallman House
1:30 – 2PM: Free walk-through tours of the Lincoln-Tallman House for the public
2PM: Concert/Historical Program by 1st Brigade Band and President & Mrs. Lincoln characters
For 30 minutes following the concert, the Tallman House will be open for free tours.