1Honoring the life and legacy of Frank L. Gilyard, Sr., for
2devoting his life to the establishment of the Central
3Pennsylvania African American Museum and his service to the
4City of Reading and the African-American community.

5WHEREAS, Frank L. Gilyard, Sr., was born in Reading,
6Pennsylvania, on April 3, 1930, and passed away on January 24,
72013, at 82 years of age; and

8WHEREAS, Mr. Gilyard was a veteran of the United States Air
9Force; and

10WHEREAS, Mr. Gilyard attended Finn College in Cleveland,
11Ohio, after receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force;
12and

13WHEREAS, Mr. Gilyard returned to Reading and became a
14community leader, where he served in many leadership positions
15within the Bethel AME Church, joined the NAACP and founded the
16Central Pennsylvania African American Museum, among many other
17worthwhile endeavors; and

1WHEREAS, Mr. Gilyard received numerous awards for his
2dedication to the African-American community, and his hometown
3of Reading and will be honored at Reading's Juneteenth
4Celebration on June 21, 2014; and

5WHEREAS, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration
6commemorating the abolishment of slavery in the United States;
7and

8WHEREAS, Mr. Gilyard organized the first Juneteenth
9Celebration in Reading in June 2010 at the Central Pennsylvania
10African American Museum and will be honored for his dedication
11and service to the African-American Community at this year's
12Juneteenth Celebration on June 21, 2014; therefore be it

13RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life
14and legacy of Frank L. Gilyard, Sr., for devoting his life to
15the establishment of the Central Pennsylvania African American
16Museum and his service to the City of Reading and the African-
17American community.