Label
Councilman Johnson
Title
Commending Mr. Weldon Douthitt's seventy-two years in the construction trade and lifelong dedication in service to his community though his willingness to give his time, energy and abilities to teach and help others.
Summary
WHEREAS, this year, 2020, Mr. Weldon Douthitt is celebrating seventy-two (72) years in the construction industry; he started his career at the age of fourteen learning his crafts under the watchful eyes of his father, James Douthitt (born June 1881, the son of slaves); and
WHEREAS, Mr. Douthitt, a native of Columbus, Ohio, is one of eleven children born to James and Vanzella Douthitt; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Douthitt moved to Toledo in 1954 to renovate the original Brown Funeral Home which was then located at 919 Grand Avenue and owned by his brother Clifford Brown; and
WHEREAS, though he had years of journeymen experience in several areas of the construction industry, Mr. Douthitt was denied membership to union shop in Toledo, Ohio; attorney, Eddie Cole threatened to sue on his behalf and only then was Mr. Douthitt able to receive his union card identifying him as a member of the Bricklayers Union Local 3; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Douthitt has created a legacy by fighting for the rights of minorities and the disadvantaged, which has affected hundreds, if not thousands of Toledo residents; and
WHEREAS, in 1969, Mr. Douthitt accepted the position of administrator for a new program designed to train young minority men and women, who were high school dropouts and ex-offenders, the basic skills of construction; the program created hundreds of jobs for young people and the opportunity for construction advancement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Douthitt has helped thousands of seniors and the disabled through the Pathway Senior Home Emergency Repair Program, a third party to the Department Of Neighborhood, since 1995; by correcting code violations, which allowed them to stay in their h...
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