March 13 – April 15, 2007
A PROCLAMATION BY THE
MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WHEREAS, this month commemorates the
following three important dates in the history of the deaf community – March
13, 1988, when I. King Jordan became the first deaf president of Gallaudet
University; April 8, 1864, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the charter
establishing a college for the deaf, which is now known as Gallaudet University;
and April 15, 1817, when the first American school for the deaf in Hartford,
Connecticut opened its doors; and
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Public
Library along with Gallaudet University, the Library of Congress and other
Washington, DC agencies will be hosting Deaf History Month events between
March 13 and April 15; and
WHEREAS, since 1997, the District of Columbia has been celebrating Deaf History
Month at the District of Columbia Public Library; and
WHEREAS, due to the yearly observance
of Deaf History Month, as well as other deaf awareness events, the residents
of the District of Columbia have become increasingly aware of Deaf Culture
and other resources at the District of Columbia Public Library:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, do hereby proclaim March 13 –
April 15, 2007, as "DEAF HISTORY
MONTH" in Washington, DC in celebration of Deaf History.
Adrian M. Fenty
Mayor, District of Columbia