Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                               A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                             25-276

                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                         October 1, 2024

To recognize and commemorate the life of Keith A. Silver, a longtime community leader, civil

       rights activist, and advocate for DC Statehood who ever faithfully galvanized citizens

       across the District to participate in the positive community events on the occasion of his

       passing on July 9, 2024.

       WHEREAS, Mr. Silver was born in Washington, DC on October 30, 1953;

      WHEREAS, Mr. Silver graduated from DC Public Schools, culminating in his graduation

from Anacostia High School (Class of 1971);

       WHEREAS, Mr. Silver went on to become a proud student in the paralegal program at

Antioch Law School (now known as UDC School of Law), graduating in 1978;

        WHEREAS, Mr. Silver was a dependable volunteer and devoted member of New Bethel

Baptist Church, located on 1739 9th Street, NW;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Silver was a faithful family man who took pride in his children and his

grandchildren, making sure to instill in them the history of the civil rights movement nationwide

and in DC;

        WHEREAS, over the course of his life, Mr. Silver fully immersed himself in the civil

rights movement in many ways, including providing ground support for the family of Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. family during public events in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta;

       WHEREAS, in the 1980s, Mr. Silver served with distinction as National Staff in the

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) under the leadership of President Rev. Joseph

Lowery;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Silver also served as Community Assistant to Eddie Kendrick, founding

member of the legendary R&B group, The Temptations, from 1982 to Oct. 5, 1992, when Mr.

Kendrick passed;

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        WHEREAS, Mr. Silver also served as a staffer to the Honorable Wilhelmina Rolark,

former Councilmember of Ward 8, from 1988 to 1992, before working for 13 years as an

assistant to Ms. Rolark during her tenure as President of the United Black Fund;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Silver designed national and local banners as Silver "K" Customized

Banners for National Civil and Human Rights Organizations, Church Groups, Non-Profits and

Celebrities and Athletes, for over 4 decades;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Silver was also a Co-Founder of the Martin Luther King Peace Walk,

which takes place every January in Ward 8, a 4-term ANC Commissioner, and a dedicated

precinct captain at Precinct 1, located at Walker-Jones Middle School;

        WHEREAS, Mr. Silver also served as a special assistant and confidant to civil rights

figures such as the Honorable Walter E. Fauntroy, “The Black Eagle” Joe Madison, and Dick

Gregory.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Keith A. Silver Memorial Recognition Resolution of 2024.”

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia hereby honors and Keith Silver and

honors his legacy as a “man of purpose” and committed servant of the community, who

dedicated his life to civil rights and activism in the District.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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