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Richmond honors L. Douglas Wilder on his 90th birthday
Summary
City leaders presented a proclamation and key to the city recognizing L. Douglas Wilder’s public service as a state senator, lieutenant governor, governor and former mayor; Wilder urged continued focus on local government and education.
The Richmond City Council recognized L. Douglas Wilder on the occasion of his 90th birthday, presenting a proclamation and a key to the city that lauded his service as a state senator, lieutenant governor, the first African American governor in U.S. history and a former mayor of Richmond. Mayor Danny Avila and council members read remarks praising Wilder’s contributions to the city, the commonwealth and the nation.
Wilder, who was introduced at the meeting, thanked the council and emphasized the importance of local government. “The most important form of government is local government,” he said, urging sustained attention to education and opportunities for young people and noting that local leaders are where “the rubber really meets the road.”
Council members described the recognition as a way to ensure Wilder’s legacy remains visible in Richmond. The ceremony included a formal presentation of a proclamation describing Wilder as “a son of Richmond” whose leadership “changed our city, our state, and our nation.”
The event concluded with brief personal remembrances and applause from council and attendees; the council then moved on to the evening’s business.
