Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Miguel E. “Don Mike” Rodriguez
Date(s): Saturday, September 18, 2021
Event Time: 12:00 P.M.
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of Nesbitt and Orange Streets
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Miguel E. “Don Mike” Rodriguez Boulevard
Sponsor: Council President, Luis A. Quintana
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc. for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, Miguel E. “Don Mike” Rodriguez arrived in New York, New York, from Puerto Rico in 1957 at the age of twenty-two (22) years-old and in 1960, he moved to Newark, New Jersey. Through his life, Don Mike has dedicated his time to assisting those in need; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez worked for Mayor Hugh J. Addonizio in 1967, became an Aide and Deputy Mayor to Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson, where he worked for Mayor Gibson for over sixteen (16) years. Mr. Rodriguez also worked for the Newark Housing Authority for over twelve (12) years and his office became a drop-off station for food to feed the needy where many volunteers came to assist in bagging and delivering groceries to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez has been very instrumental in the fight for the Puerto Rican community and was part of the Afro-American Coalition that made it possible for Mayor Gibson’s winning election. Mr. Rodriguez is very involved in assisting high school and college students to obtain scholarships to continue their education. Mr. Rodriguez believes that “Education is the Key to Life.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council hereby authorizes the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Nesbitt and Orange Streets as “Miguel E. “Don Mike” Rodriguez Boulevard”.
2. The official name of the said streets shall remain Nesbitt and Orange Streets in their entirety.
STATEMENT
This resolution authorizes the naming of the intersection of Nesbitt and Orange Streets as “Miguel E. “Don Mike” Rodriguez Boulevard”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.