2009 Assembly Joint Resolution 87
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Reuben K. Harpole, Jr.
Whereas, Reuben Harpole has been engaged in the Milwaukee community for over 50 years as a civil rights activist, mentor, and supporter of educational causes; and
Whereas, Reuben Harpole has earned the monikers “the mayor" and “the connector" for his strong leadership skills, his dignified manner, and his ability to bring people together around a common goal; and
Whereas, Reuben Harpole was raised in the diverse Bronzeville neighborhood of Milwaukee, which helped shape his perspective on the world by raising his awareness of, and respect for, other cultures; and
Whereas, Reuben Harpole is the co-founder of the Center for Urban Community Development at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he spent 31 years, retiring in 1997 from the School of Continuing Education where a scholarship to help attract African American men into the teaching profession is named in his honor; and
Whereas, Reuben Harpole is a champion for civil rights and is a positive force in getting people interested in serving the community through volunteer work and through running for elected office; and
Whereas, Reuben Harpole was honored by his alma mater with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letter in recognition of his work in the field of civil rights and community development, which included work with the Helen Bader Foundation, the Milwaukee Public School System, and the Black Holocaust Museum; and
Whereas, recently, the city of Milwaukee named a portion of North Avenue after Reuben Harpole in recognition of his selfless contributions to the community; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature recognize the profound impact Reuben Harpole has had on the lives of those in the city of Milwaukee and wish him success and good health as he continues his work in the community.
