Franklin's name to be on riot memorial
BY RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 18, 2004
1/20/13 at 8:28 AM
The committee in charge of
designing and building a
planned memorial to Tulsa's
1921 race riot has officially
named it the John Hope
Franklin Greenwood Reconciliation Memorial and Museum.
If that's too much of a
mouthful, the committee will
understand it being called simply the Franklin.
"Whatever the official name
is, it'll be known as the Franklin museum," said former state
Rep. Don Ross.
The name was proposed
some time ago but not formally adopted until Friday's meeting of the committee. Franklin,
a native of Rentiesville who
spent his formative years in
Tulsa, is an internationally acclaimed historian and author.
His father, B.C. Franklin, was
a well-known Tulsa attorney.
By naming the facility for
Franklin and Greenwood, the
main thoroughfare of Tulsa's
old black district, the committee hopes to broaden its appeal, both to the general public and to potential donors.
Only about 10 percent of the
$25 million needed to fully
fund the project has been
raised.
"It's high time we go beyond
Tulsa and Oklahoma to raise
money," said committee member Steve Turnbo.
Local support for the museum and memorial has been almost nonexistent, although the
city did agree recently to reimburse the committee the
$405,000 for the purchase of a
site from the Tulsa Development Authority. The reimbursement came from federal
Community Development
Block Grant funds.
The committee said a continuing lawsuit seeking damages from the city and state
for the riot have hampered local fund-raising.
"Every time news about the
litigation is in the paper, we
go two steps backward," said
committee member John Gaberino. "A lot of fair-minded
people are not excited about
contributing to this memorial."
The committee was also concerned about the recent dismissal of state House of Representatives Fiscal Director Greg
Sawyer -- concerned enough
that it is hiring him as a part-time consultant.
"Had it not been for Greg
Sawyer, we wouldn't be here,"
said Ross.
Ross and Chairman Julius
Pegues said Sawyer had been
instrumental in helping the
committee navigate legislative
financial requirements. Sawyer
was among the House employees fired in the wake of the
Republican takeover in November's elections.
Despite the financial handicaps, the committee expects
work to begin on the memorial
site within 30 days. Initially, it
will be a park featuring two
large-scale sculptures, with a
museum and library planned
when funds are available. The
committee hopes for a June 1,
2005 dedication.
Randy Krehbiel 581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
