H.Res. 1000

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1000 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1000

Commemorating the Akron Urban League's centennial.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 14, 2026

Mrs. Sykes submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Education and Workforce

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RESOLUTION

Commemorating the Akron Urban League's centennial.

Whereas, for 100 years, the Akron Urban League has served the community of Akron 
and Summit County;
Whereas, in 1918, when Akron was tasked with meeting the social needs of its 
increasing Black population, Attorney Thomas E. Green, Rev. R.A. Jones, 
Rev. E.J. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Williams Hardy, and Mrs. Elbertha Turner 
requested assistance from the local Young Men's Christian Association as 
a part of this initiative;
Whereas, in April 1919, the Young Men's Christian Association responded by 
hiring George W. Thompson to coordinate Black activities;
Whereas, in 1925, the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company pledged $10,000 to be 
administered by the Better Akron Federation for work with Black 
community citizens;
Whereas the $10,000 would be governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for 
allocating the public funds;
Whereas a 5-member committee was also appointed to study and make 
recommendations on the social needs of Black people in the community;
Whereas this committee consisted of University of Akron President, Dr. Park 
Noble, Vice President of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, C.W. 
Seiberling, President of Babcox Publishing Company, E.S. Babcox, 
President of Depositors Savings and Trust Company, Charles Herberick, 
Attorney J.B. Huber, and Assistant Treasurer of Firestone Tire and 
Rubber Company, Homer C. Campbell;
Whereas, in March 1925, the Association for Colored Community Work was created 
during a meeting at Firestone's home;
Whereas, in 1944, the Association's name was changed to the Akron Community 
Service Center after Thompson hired University of Akron student Raymond 
R. Brown to help run the Association;
Whereas, in May 1950, the new Akron Community Service Center and Urban League 
was constructed at 250 East Market Street and included amenities that 
were lacking for the Black community such as a gymnasium, a swimming 
pool, meeting rooms, classrooms, a library, lounges, and a kitchen;
Whereas this community center became a safe haven for the Black community, 
offering recreational programs for children and adults when no other 
facilities in Akron would allow them through the doors;
Whereas, in the early 2000s, the Akron Urban League moved to Vernon Odom 
Boulevard in Akron and remains dedicated to creating new programs, 
expanding its reach, and investing in the economic success of the 
community;
Whereas the Akron Urban League has served thousands of people by providing 
programs and services that emphasize education, job training, economic 
development, antiviolence, health and wellness, and mentoring; and
Whereas the Akron Urban League remains one of 88 affiliates of the National 
Urban League and continues to be a driving force behind the employment 
of minority workers in the Akron and Summit community: Now, therefore, 
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors and commemorates the 100 years of work to 
empower communities, strengthen families, and open doors of 
opportunity by the Akron Urban League;
(2) recognizes the generational impact that the Akron Urban 
League has had on the city of Akron and the residents of Summit 
County; and
(3) encourages the Akron Urban League to continue its 
mission to improve the quality of life of the citizens of 
Summit County, particularly African Americans, through economic 
self-reliance and social empowerment for another 100 years.
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