A RESOLUTION

 

1Designating September 5, 2013, as "Moment of Integration Day" in
2Pennsylvania, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the
3integration of Lower Merion School District.

4WHEREAS, The Ardmore Avenue School of Lower Merion School
5District housed both the elementary school and the high school
6from 1894 until 1910; and

7WHEREAS, Lower Merion High School was dedicated in 1911; and

8WHEREAS, Through the 1950s, the students of the Ardmore
9Avenue School came from the African-American community
10surrounding the school; and

11WHEREAS, In 1963, Lower Merion School District made the
12decision to integrate its elementary schools, closed the Ardmore
13Avenue School and began transporting students to local
14elementary schools composed predominately of white students; and

15WHEREAS, The day that the Ardmore Avenue School was closed,
16September 5, 1963, is recognized as a major milestone in the
17history of Lower Merion School District; and

1WHEREAS, The full integration of Lower Merion School
2District's elementary schools changed the social fabric of the
3community and had a major impact on the lives of students,
4parents, teachers and administrators; and

5WHEREAS, September 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of the
6Ardmore Avenue School's closing; and

7WHEREAS, As part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary
8of the Ardmore Avenue School, a historical site designation is
9being pursued for the former school; therefore be it

10RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
11September 5, 2013, as "Moment of Integration Day" in
12Pennsylvania, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the
13integration of Lower Merion School District; and be it further

14RESOLVED, That a copy of the resolution be transmitted to
15Lower Merion School District, 301 East Montgomery Avenue,
16Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003.