Alfred Zack Straghn DayI EA[
1 N W 1 I AvE NUE EL F<A'< BE-AC H FL ()Fl!LlA 444
PROCLAMATION
'in' .. oo
WHEREAS, Alfred "Zack" Straghn, was born and raised in Delray Beach Florida and spent a
lifetime living and working in the City. He attended Carver High School and later matriculated to
Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he earned a bachelor's degree; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Straghn was an accomplished and well respected individual who served this
community as a funeral home operator, softball coach, activist, Sunday school teacher at Greater
Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Delray Beach Masonic Lodge member and chairman of the City of Delray Beach Human Relations Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Straghn served as President of the South Palm Beach County National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1981 -1991. He organized protests to
advocate for racial and economic justice and on August 20, 2000, he received a key to the City of Delray Beach for his heroic acts, exemplary leadership, and dedication to serving God and his
community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Straghn organized the annual Keith Straghn Feed the Hungry Thanksgiving
Drive in honor of his late son which provides food for about 5,000 residents each year. Mr. Straghn was also recognized as a Distinguished Man of Excellence by the Delta Heritage Foundation and was
honored by the Palm Healthcare Foundation for his inspiration of the Let's Move Legendary Award
which led to its annual "Let's Move" walk; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Straghn poured his heart into the community. Even in his 90's he continued to lead the Let's Move Walk each year; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Straghn was a well-known, well-liked, highly-regarded, respected, beloved,
caring, selfless, and socially active member of the South Florida and Palm Beach County
communities, and the City of Delray Beach expresses deep sorrow over Mr. Straghn's transition on December3,2020; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Shelly Petrolia, Mayor of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, on behalf of the City Commission do hereby proclaim that the Second Sunday of March each year forthwith shall be
known and recognized as: ALFRED "ZACK" STRAGHN DAY
Now granted, in good faith, honor, and respect for Mr. Alfred "Zack" Straghn, a man whose life
was dedicated to serving the City of Delray Beach, with love and sincerity to the Straghn
family, and to those whose lives he touched.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the
City of Delray Beach, Florida, to be affixed this 2nd day of March 2021.
d nrl, aPpe,
SHELL P TROLIA
MAYOR