Office of the Mayor

Recognition

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   The City of Lawrence believes in recognizing outstanding accomplishments within our community; and

WHEREAS:   Founded in 1997 as an innovative way to help fill existing gaps in social services, Van Go Mobile Arts, Inc., has been a lifeline for hundreds of kids and teens in crisis; and

WHEREAS:   Using art as the vehicle, Van Go is devoted to delivering constructive activities to children at-risk for drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, truancy or delinquency; and

WHEREAS:   The Coming Up Taller Awards, a national award juried by the NEA, the NEH, the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, provide them learning opportunities and chances to contribute to their communities; and

WHEREAS:   The City of Lawrence congratulates Van Go Mobile Arts, Inc., for receiving the 2005 Coming Up Taller Award for its Job in the Arts Makes Sense program, otherwise known as JAMS; and

WHEREAS:   Van Go is the first Kansas organization ever to receive this prestigious national honor;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dennis “Boog” Highberger, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, along with my fellow Commissioners, do hereby recognize Van Go Mobile Arts, Inc., for its accomplishments and urge all citizens of Lawrence to join us for this recognition.

                                                          Dennis “Boog” Highberger,

                                                          Mayor

February 21, 2006