Fiscal Note
No expenditure is required.
Title
Recognizing the honorary position of Madison Poet Laureate.
Body
WHEREAS, poetry tells the history of human feeling and can sustain the emotional memory of a community; and
WHEREAS, poetry allows us to perceive our experience with greater richness and complexity; and
WHEREAS, poetry can carry us to the frontiers of linguistic imagination so that we can articulate our vision of the future; and
WHEREAS, knowledge of poetic traditions allows us to know more about our own culture and can serve as a passport to the cultures of others; and
WHEREAS, John Tuschen of Madison, was appointed Poet Laureate by former Mayor Paul Soglin in 1977, making Madison one of the first cities in the United States to have a poet laureate, establishing a strong tradition of poets actively contributing to our community and enriching our culture; and
WHEREAS, Madison's current Poet Laureate, Andrea Musher, appointed by former Mayor Susan Bauman, in November of 2000, who presently serves as the City's Poet Laureate, will be retiring from the position on the last day of December 2007; and
WHEREAS the Madison Arts Commission, has approved working in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office to further establish the Poet Laureate position, to develop policies and procedures for the position, and to serve as the fiscal agent responsible for dispersing distributions to future Poets Laureate if a private endowment is established for this purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the existing honorary position of Poet Laureate is hereby acknowledged by the City of Madison.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a representative from the Mayor’s Office and the Madison Arts Program Administrator will serve as the municipal liaisons to the Poet Laureate.
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED that future Madison Poet Laureates shall be proclaimed by the Mayor.
Note: This position is voluntary, and the person serving as Poet Laureate shall not be considered a City employee or a City official.