RESOLUTION No. 36124

Direct that N. W. York Street is named for York, William Clark’s slave, in honor of his role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the history of Portland (Resolution; replace Resolution No. 36070)

WHEREAS,  on May 22^nd, 2002, Council passed resolution 36070, naming N.W. York Street after York, William Clark’s slave. Though history makes it clear that York was a slave, resolution 36070 described York as William Clark’s “servant.”

WHEREAS,  the Lewis & Clark Expedition was an event of national significance; and

WHEREAS,  York, William Clark’s slave, played an important role as a valued member of the Corps of Discovery; and

WHEREAS,  York was in the party that descended the Willamette River, reaching present-day Portland in April 1806; and

WHEREAS,  in the Great Street Renaming of 1891 after the consolidation of Portland, East Portland, and Albina, the “Y” street in Northwest Portland was renamed “York” Street; and

WHEREAS,  no record remains of the Council’s intent in renaming that street; and

WHEREAS,  N. W. York Street adjoined the grounds of the 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition; and

WHEREAS,  The Portland City Council has been contacted by experts on the life of York, who feel it would be more appropriate to honor York’s contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition by acknowledging that York was a slave, not a servant;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that N. W. York Street is named for York, William Clark’s slave, in honor of his role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the history of the City of Portland; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Portland Office of Transportation shall maintain this Resolution as official notice of the designation.

Commissioner Jim Francesconi

Commissioner Randy Leonard

Commissioner Dan Saltzman

Commissioner Erik Sten

Prepared by: M. Harrison

Date Prepared: February 20, 2003          Gary Blackmer

Adopted by the Council:  FEB 26 2003        Auditor of the City of Portland

By: /s/Susan Parsons

Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 166

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36124