Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week (September 4-8) Copyrighted
September 5, 2023
City of Dubuque Proclamation(s) # 01.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week (September4-8)
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Morgan Peace Week Peace Week Sept 2023 Supporting Documentation
'CHF.CITY OF
DuB E
Mnsterpiece on the Mrssissippi
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WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque has committed to uncovering the history of all Dubuquers
through the Black Heritage Survey, in an effort to tell a more complete story of
Dubuque; and
WHEREAS, Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan were among the pioneers of Dubuque and
contributed to its growth by working hard, purchasing the first platted lot (Lot 1),
owning a home, supporting the construction of Dubuque's first church, and
persevering in the face of racism as African Americans in a community that practiced
slavery; and
WHEREAS, the lynching of Nathaniel Morgan and the subsequent pardoning of the lynchers
shattered the potential for interracial unity and peace by fueling white supremacy; and
WHEREAS, members of the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee (NMMC) believe that
confronting our past injustice leads to learning, teaching, and building an equitable
and diverse community; and
WHEREAS, Dubuquers increasingly make a concerted effort in the face of ignorance,
indifference, and racism to build an equitable and diverse community that honors the
faith, aspirations, and perseverance of our earliest Black residents; and
WHEREAS, the NMMC and other Dubuque residents maintain that in life Nathaniel and Charlotte
Morgan represented the promise of a unified and peaceful interracial community; and
WHEREAS, the NMMC will celebrate this rekindled promise of unity and peace in a public
memorial service on September 6 at 7 pm in the Shalom Spirituality Center chapel.
NOW THEREFORE, I, BRAD M. CAVANAGH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER AS
"NATHANIEL AND CHARLOTTE MORGAN PEACE WEEK"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA,
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to
be affixed this 5th day of September 2023.
Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Trish L. Gleason, MMC Assistant City Clerk