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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
20-279
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 28, 2014
To recognize the contributions of Yeshimebeth “Mama Tutu” Belay in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, Yeshimebeth Belay, also affectionately known as “Mama Tutu,” is the quintessential immigrant success story; hailing from her birth country of Ethiopia, Tutu accomplished the American dream through hard work and perseverance;
WHEREAS, Tutu graduated from Southern University in Louisiana with a degree in Business Administration and moved to the Washington area, where she recognized the economic potential of the largest population of Ethiopians in the U.S.;
WHEREAS, Tutu established the Ethiopian Yellow Pages that has grown from 80 pages to almost 1000 and has served the Washington, D.C., area Ethiopian immigrant community for the last 20 years;
WHEREAS, Tutu has received a master’s degree and has expanded her business to include a newspaper, restaurant, and cultural expositions;
WHEREAS, always giving back, she has provided academic scholarships and awards for talented and achieving youth in the community;
WHEREAS, Tutu reached out to the larger D.C. community, serving as a board member of Shaw Main Streets and working to revitalize the Shaw neighborhood area of Washington, DC;
WHEREAS, Tutu has worked closely with Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham, the local ANC commissioner Alex Pedro, local businesses, and other city officials for the last 10 years to uplift the 9th and U Street, N.W., area;
WHEREAS, Tutu has been relentless in educating the community about the need to participate in local government initiatives from entrepreneurship to neighborhood cleanups; and
WHEREAS, Tutu serves as an excellent role model to the community on how to be a productive citizen, despite numerous struggles, if you are willing to work hard, have a positive attitude, and care about the welfare of other people.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors “Tutu’s” numerous contributions to the Ethiopian community, and the wider community in the District of Columbia and the Washington metropolitan area, and declares December 26, 2014, as “Yeshimebeth Mama Tutu Belay Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Yeshimebeth “Mama Tutu” Belay Day Recognition Resolution of 2014”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
