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WHEREAS, born in 1815, Henry Highland Garnet, a renowned public speaker, was an abolitionist, educator and ambassador who served as the first pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Garnet was born into the American slavery system before his family moved to New York when he was ten years old, where he received an education at the Free African School and the Phoenix High School for Colored Youth from 1826 through 1833; and,
WHEREAS, from 1833 to 1835 Mr. Garnet joined the Sunday School of the first Colored Presbyterian Church located on the corner of William and Frankfort streets, and also joined the Anti-Slavery Society in New York where he was known to deliver powerful speeches in support of abolition, including one of his most famous speeches, "Call to Rebellion"; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Garnet completed his education at the Oneida School with honors in 1839, became one of the founding members of the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, and began to preach and teach at the Liberty Street Presbyterian Church in New York; and,
WHEREAS, in 1868 Mr. Garnet accepted the presidency of Avery College in Pittsburgh which was dedicated to the education of African Americans, while also becoming the first pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh's Hill District;
WHEREAS, in honor of his distinguished legacy, Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Hill District will be hosting a service to celebrate the life of Henry Highland Garnet on Sunday, February 23, 2014, highlighting his historical roles as an abolitionist, educator and ambassador;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare February 23, 2014 to be "Henry Highland Garnet Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.