7644-02 Lakewood Poetry Month - Laserfiche WebLink

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RESOLUTION NO: 7644-02 BY: Corrigan, Dunn, FitzGerald, George- Roth, Seelie, Skindell A RESOLUTION to recognize Lakewood Reads .dmerica's Best Poems at the Lakewood Public Library on Sunday, April 14, 2002 and to designate April as Lakewood Poetry Monti~ WHEREAS, when T:S. Elliot wrote, "April is the cruelest month", he obviously never anticipated that Lakewood Public L~rary would host Lakewood Reads America's Best Poems, a program inspired by resident Klm Langley and made possible through the hard work of Kenneth Warrm% Klm Senft-Paras and Jolm'Guscott of Lakewood Public L~rary, whereby a cross-section of Lakewood residents--quite simply--read one of their favorite poems aloud; and WHEREAS, LakewoodReads America's Best Poems is part of a larger effort by Robert Pinsky, the 39~ Poet Laureate of the United States, who created the Favorite Poem Project on the belief that poetry is a vocal art; and WHEREAS, Pinsky, a professor of English and creative writing at Boston University, discovered through teaching that when students are asked to read aloud and talk about a poem they love, something remarkable happens--their faces and voices demonstrate a profound personal connection to the poem; and WHEREAS, more than 800 Favorite Poem readings across 49 states have occurred since the project laUnched in April 1997, thereby ailowing thousands of Americans to re-discovered poetry as a vital part of understanding their individual humanity, of participating in community life and of appreciating our rich and diverse American enlturai_inheritance; and WHEREAS, former President John F. Kennedy---an avid reader of poetry~anticipated a day in which our nation will "reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft", acknowledged a debt to the ancient art of poetry, when stating: When power leads men towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man' s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry Cleanses. For art establishes the basic human truth which must serve as the touchstone 'of our judgment. WHEREAS, designating April as Lakewood Poetry Month, in accord with The Academy of American Poets' recognition since1996 of April as National Poetry Month aspires to fulfill the folloWing seven goals: To highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets · b. To introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry c. To bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways d. To make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum e. To increas~ the attention paid to poetry by national and local media'' " f. To encourage increased publication, distn'oution, and sales of poetry books g. To increase public and private philanthropic supports for poets and poetry;, and WHEREAS, a debt of gratitude is owed to Kim I4mgley, Lakewood Public Lforary and Director Kenneth Warre~. its board of directors and all residents who support and promote the arts within our community;, and WHEREAS, Lakewood is judged favorably on so many OOUlHS: public safety, a farmers market, strong schools, good government and attractive public parks--just to name of few;, our support of poetry will help us to be recognized for our civilization as well, now, therefore: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That this Council, for itself and on behalf of ail the citizens of this community, reco~on~zes LakewoodReads ~4merica's Best Poems at the Lakewood Public Library