AGENDA #13a(2)

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Town Council

FROM:            Mayor Kevin C. Foy and Mayor Pro Tempore Edith Wiggins

SUBJECT:       Recommendation for Naming of Town Municipal Building

DATE:             January 24, 2005

We propose that Town Hall, also known as the Town Municipal Building, be re-named the Lee Municipal Building in recognition of Howard and Lillian Lee.

Howard Lee was the first black Mayor elected in the South since reconstruction in a city with a predominately white population.  He was re-elected twice, and during his tenure, he personally went to Washington to secure federal funding for extensive redevelopment in the Northside neighborhood where there lacked adequate water and sewage services. Senator Lee also oversaw the creation of the Chapel Hill Bus System during his administration. At the time there was tremendous protest against this initiative but now our transit system is fare free and one of the best in the country. 

Lillian Lee spent almost her entire teaching career in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School System. At her retirement she was Dean of Students at Chapel Hill High School.  Mrs. Lee organized numerous voter registration drives and hundreds of high school students registered to vote at these events. She has also served on numerous Town volunteer boards and committees.  When others choose to honor her husband for his achievements, Senator Lee always pays tribute to Mrs. Lee for her work and support as they both endeavored to improve the quality of life in Chapel Hill.

In addition to renaming the building for the Lees, we propose that the renaming take place at the same time we celebrate the renaming of Airport Road.