Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Gloria Gaynor
Date(s): TBD
Official Street Name(s): Howard Street and Court Street
Ceremonial Intersection Name: “Gloria Gaynor Way”
Sponsor: Council Member Louise Scott-Rountree
Additional Information:
Ceremony will be determined for a later date.
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc., for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, a world-renowned actress, author, Broadway performer, inspirational speaker and recording artist Gloria Gaynor, whose entertainment career has spanned over fifty years was born and raised in Newark’ s Old Third Ward, commonly known today as the Central Ward, overcame incredible hardships to achieve personal success including, life-changing illnesses, paralysis, family trauma, a twenty-five year traumatic marriage and subsequent divorce and poverty; and
WHEREAS, despite personal hardships and turmoil, Gloria persevered before she gained lasting success and international acclaim with the release of her Grammy award winning hit song “I Will Survive”, which became a cultural phenomenon and powerful anthem of empowerment for millions worldwide, especially women seeking redress and freedom from their hardships and oppression from male suppression and dominance; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Gaynor, continues to write and record new music, while still performing world-wide, selling out stadiums throughout Europe, the UK, Asia, Africa and US, in addition to, donating her time, money, and talents, to a multitude of charities, including her hometown favorites, “Wynona’s House” and “Big Brothers and Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties”; and
WHEREAS, a New Jersey Hall of Fame and Library of Congress inductee, Gloria Gaynor continues to receive awards, accolades and honorariums for her outstanding entertainment accomplishments and support for numerous charitable causes; and
WHEREAS, the lifetime of altruistic contributions by Gloria Gaynor to the world community and her hometown of Newark, is worthy of recognition and acknowledgement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Howard Street and Court Street as “Gloria Gaynor Way”.
2. The official name of said streets shall remain as Howard Street and Court Street in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the naming of the intersection of Howard Street and Court Street as “Gloria Gaynor Way”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.