HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-7405 Rename the Opa-locka Executive Airport to Opa-locka Barack Obama Sponsored by Commissioner T. Holmes:
RESOLUTION NO. 0 9-7 4 0 5
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA URGING THE MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
TO RENAME THE"OPA-LOCKA EXECUTIVE AIRPORT"
THE "OPA-LOCKA-BARACK OBAMA EXECUTIVE
AIRPORT"AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK
TO FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION TO EACH
MUNICIPALITY WITHIN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
REQUESTING THE ADOPTION OF A SIMILAR
RESOLUTION AND ENCOURAGING SUPPORT
WHEREAS, in recognition of the historic significance of President-Elect Barack Obama
being elected the 44th President of the United States,the City Commission of the City of Opa-Locka
("City")urges that the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to rename the"Opa-
Locka Executive Airport"the "Opa-Locka-Barack Obama Executive Airport"; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has the unique opportunity to be the first in the
Country to own a facility holding the name of the 44th President, Barack Obama; and
WHEREAS, due to Miami-Dade County competing with so many other states and
county governments for funding of highway projects and other needed infrastructure, the
renaming of the executive airport could have intangible benefits for the county; and
WHEREAS, in 1918, Glenn and Lena Curtiss bought the land where Opa-Locka Airport
is now located and eight years later founded the City of Opa-Locka; and
WHEREAS,Glenn Curtiss desired that the land purchased by he and his wife have
national prominence and significance and before his untimely death in 1930, transferred his
Florida Aviation Camp property to the United States Navy and lobbied to have one of the
Resolution No. 0 9-7 4 0 5
nation's first Naval Aviation Reserve Bases established on the site where the Opa-Locka
Executive Airport is now situated; and
WHEREAS, in November of 1961, the property now known as the Opa-Locka Executive
Airport was deeded by the United States of America to the Board of County Commissioners of
Dade County as surplus property; and
WHEREAS, in the spirit of unity that President-Elect Barack Obama has shown in
bringing people from all walks of life together, it would be a tremendous tribute to his early
accomplishments and promote good will throughout the entire Miami-Dade County if the Miami-
Dade County Board of County Commissioners renamed the"Opa-Locka Executive Airport" the
"Opa-Locka-Barack Obama Executive Airport"; and
WHEREAS,the Opa-Locka City Clerk is hereby directed to forward this resolution to
each municipality within Miami-Dade County requesting the adoption of a similar resolution and
encouraging support for the renaming.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference.
•
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka urges the Miami-Dade County
Board of County Commissioners to rename the "Opa-Locka Executive Airport" the "Opa-Locka-
Barack Obama Executive Airport."
Section 3. The Opa-Locka City Clerk is hereby directed to take all necessary action to
transmit a copy of this resolution to each municipality within Miami-Dade County requesting the
Resolution No. 0 9-7 4 0 5
adoption of a similar resolution and encouraging support.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14 day of JANUARY , 2009.
I L LLEY
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Attest: Approved as to form and legal suffici:ncy:
■
�
eborah S. Irb Burnadette Norris-Weeks
City Clerk City Attorney
Moved by: HOLMES
Seconded by: JOHNSON
Commission Vote: 4-0
Commissioner Tydus: NOT PRESENT
Commissioner Holmes: YES
Commissioner Johnson: YES
Vice-Mayor Taylor: YES
Mayor Kelley: YES