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RESOLUTION NO.
<br />A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
<br />CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY
<br />COMMEMORATING AND REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF
<br />SCHUYLER COLFAX, CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMER
<br />AND 17" VICE- PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
<br />the South Bend Common Council notes that City Cemetery founded in 1832 in the City of South
<br />Bend is the home to approximately 14,800 final resting places on its 21.36 acres, including South Bend resident
<br />Schuyler Colfax, who was the 17'h Vice- President of the United States and a Constitutional reformer; and
<br />*ice, the Common Council notes that in 2009, the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend
<br />and St. Joseph County partnered with the Schuyler Colfax Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
<br />(DAR) to collaborate together and promote the preservation of City Cemetery, with its Mission Statement "to
<br />preserve, protect, share carefully and treat reverently this hallowed and historic site ". Since that date the South
<br />Bend Parks Foundation in collaboration with the Common Council and City Administration have worked together
<br />to support the City Cemetery Restoration Project and the City Cemetery Master Plan of 2015; and
<br />on January 14, 2013, the Common Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 4226 -13, which
<br />declared March 23`a of each year as "Schuyler Colfax Day in South Bend, Indiana" to recognize the public
<br />service career of Schuyler Colfax who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1863 -1869; served
<br />our country as the 17'h Vice- President of the United States from 1869 -1873 under President Ulysses S. Grant and
<br />recalled his dedication to civil rights and the passage of the 13'h Amendment in 1865 to abolish slavery, the
<br />passage of the 14'h Amendment in 1868 addressing due process, and equal protection, and the 156' Amendment
<br />in 1869 addressing the right to vote regardless of one's race, color or previous condition of servitude; and
<br />in May of 2015, a Schuyler Colfax re- enactor at City Cemetery, dressed in period clothing shared
<br />some of the rich history of his life by telling stories about serving as President Ulysses S. Grant's Vice- President
<br />during his first term; who is remembered as being a very dedicated public servant who was "good- natured, kindly,
<br />cordial and always diplomatic"; who stood by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863 when he signed the
<br />Emancipation Proclamation; who became known by the nickname "Smiler" Colfax; who came into this world
<br />four (4) months after his father had passed away from tuberculosis and was forced to drop out of school at the
<br />age of ten to work, to teach himself, and to dedicate his life to serving others.
<br />9%Q XeAyfm &areKol6*4 by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
<br />Section I. The Common Council hereby calls upon the citizens of South Bend to pause & reflect upon the
<br />contributions made not only to our city, but to our country by Schuler Colfax, who moved to South Bend in 1836
<br />and called it his home until his death in 1873. The Council recognizes that 193 years ago on March 23, 1823,
<br />Schuler Colfax was born, and through his vision and dedication America is a much better place, who is
<br />remembered far his tireless work and leadership in championing the passage of the 13 ", 140'& 15'h Amendments.
<br />Section II. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and
<br />approval by the Mayor.
<br />Tim Scott, 15' District
<br />Regina Williams Preston, 2nd District
<br />Randy Kelly, 3`d District
<br />Jo Broden, 4" District
<br />Dr. David A. Varner, 51h District
<br />Wn
<br />Oliver J. Davis, 6' District
<br />Gavin Ferlic, At Large Member
<br />Karen L. White, At Large Member
<br />John Voorde, At Large Member
<br />Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney
<br />Kareemah Fowler, City Clerk Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend
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