Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Dr. Abdul Salaam
Date(s): Saturday, September 24, 2022
Time: 11:00 A.M.
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of Johnson Avenue and West Bigelow Street
Ceremonial Intersection Name: “Dr. Abdul Salaam Way”
Sponsor: Council Member, Patrick O. Council
Additional Information:
Placement of the street sign will be the right side of Johnson Avenue and West Bigelow Street.
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc. for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Abdul Salaam, born in Newark, New Jersey, on August 18, 1929 and graduated from South Side High School. He enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Dental Lab Technician. Upon his discharge Dr. Salaam went on to further his education to become a dentist, graduating from the Columbia School of Dentistry with a D.D.S. in 1956 and was the only African-American graduate in the dental program; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Abdul Salaam, started his dental practice at his primary residence located on Johnson Avenue. Dr. Salaam was also an entrepreneur. He and his family resided in Chicago, Illinois for a brief period, establishing a flourishing dental practice in addition to a business named Specialty Promotions, where he imported the religious text, Holy Quran, from Pakistan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Salaam and his family returned to New Jersey and continued to practice for over forty (40) years, until his retirement in 2010. After retirement, Dr. Salaam would spend time with his family until he was called home on June 21, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Abdul Salaam’s legacy will be forever remembered and revered as a positive force experienced by many within Newark’s community because of his unquestionable love and commitment to many families, friends and residents he served in the City of Newark.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby amend and authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Johnson Avenue and West Bigelow Street as “Dr. Abdul Salaam Way”.
2. The official name of the said streets shall remain Johnson Avenue and West Bigelow Street in their entirety.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the naming of the intersection of Johnson Avenue and West Bigelow Street as “Dr. Abdul Salaam Way”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.