Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week (September 1 - 6, 2025)Copyrighted
September 2, 2025
City of Dubuque PROCLAMATIONS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week (September 1 -
6, 2025)
SUMMARY: On behalf of the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proclamation
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
PROCLAMATION
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 Dubuque's first Protestant 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 6th at 6 pm at Voices Studio.
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 2nd day of September 2025.
Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC, City Clerk
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2025: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos BHallstoos(c�dbg.edu. Accepted by Brian Hallstoos, Ernestine
Moss, and James Busch.
2024: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos BHallstoos(c�dbg.edu.
2023: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos BHallstoos(a-)_dbg.edu. Accepted by: Ernestine Moss, co -Chair
of the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee (NMMC), Chris Happ-Olson, NMMC member, Brian
Hallstoos, co-chair of the NMMC
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