Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/140546
•pg_14-22__BMT_pg3-58 6/21/13 9:09 PM Page 21 LOCAL HERO THE HONORABLE JOHNNY FORD: LONGEST-SERVING MAYOR IN THE when a U.S. Public Health Service medical experiment was performed on hundreds of mostly AfricanAmerican sharecroppers who unknowingly became part of a syphilis study to be merely observed for research instead of receiving proper health care. However, today the University stands as a center of excellence for African-American education. In the beginning of his term, knowing the need for the greatness of Tuskegee to be preserved and shared with the world, Mayor Ford joined with Sister Cities International, an organization that encourages cities to enter into sister relationships. The two cities share resources, knowledge and technology to promote the others efforts. This was exactly the outcome as Tuskegee and Mayor Ford joined with Banjul, Gambia. In 1977 grants from the University were given to bring economists and agriculturalists to Gambia to help with their schools and economic development, including their market place, the center of their economy, but without refrigeration, lighting or appropriate shelter. Funds were granted by the United States Agency for International Development and through the bonding of these two cities, the Mayors of Banjul and Tuskegee soon after walked the newly built market place marveling at the benefits achieved through their partnership. Following this success, Mayor Ford founded the World Conference of Mayors, Inc. Made up of Mayors from the US, Africa, the Caribbean, South American, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan and beyond, member Mayors are encouraged to make tourism a top priority in their cities and to develop programs and plans to increase the benefits that tourism has to offer. Tuskegee - fortified through struggle and great accomplishments, is slowly becoming known for each one. It's the birthplace of Civil Rights Activist, Rosa Parks and of George Washington Carver, Chief Aciola, Lionel Richie, Tom Joyner and many others that had a hand in promoting change. The Tuskegee Human & Civil Rights Multicultural Center stands as a Museum/Visitor's Center celebrating African-American, European and Native American greatness. Back in the Tuskegee saddle again, Mayor Johnny Ford will continue to position Tuskegee as a Mecca to be studied, visited and modeled after for the historical significance it offers & celebrates. HISTORY OF TUSKEGEE, AL BY VICTORIA HEAD Ford grew up in Tuskegee, home of the famed University and the brave Tuskegee Airmen. He served as Mayor of Tuskegee from 1972 – 1996 and was later reelected to office in 2004. When his service ended in 2008, the Mayor had served a total of 28 years; he was subsequently reelected in 2012 for another term. Though great victories have been achieved, Mayor Ford continues to press forward to see further dreams achieved in this grand and historic city. Mayor Ford refers to himself as a "Tourism Mayor," always stressing the importance of promoting the city for its many sites of significance: The main attraction – Tuskegee Insti-tute, founded by Booker T. Washington. As named by the great jazz poet, Langston Hughes and seen in the passionate campaign of Johnny Ford…Tuskegee University was and is "the pride of the swift growing south." The Institute is the first Black College and Historical National Site for education in the US. Mayor Ford was at the forefront, getting congress to designate the college as a Historic Site. Today, the Tuskegee Airman Site at Moton Field is also listed a Historic Site. Mayor Ford awaits the day that a third Historic Site will be named in his hometown…-Tuskegee's Veterans Hospital, the first VA Hospital for Black veterans in WWI. The US's first National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care is also in Tuskegee. The official launching of the Center occurred two years following President Bill Clinton's apology to the nation for the atrocities which took place during the syphilis study at Tuskegee University, 1932-1972 Johnny B M & T ••• May/June 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 21