Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Massachusetts has a deep and proud tradition in the arts and in celebrating American theatre; and
Whereas August Wilson’s unique, inspired, and insightful voice illuminated the twentieth century African-American experience for theatregoers and dramatic scholars of all ages through the ten plays of his Century Cycle; and
Whereas August Wilson introduced theatregoers in the Commonwealth, on Broadway, and across the nation to memorable, evocatively drawn characters such as Aunt Esther, Boy Willie, and Troy Maxson; and
Whereas August Wilson inspired a generation of playwrights of color, including the Commonwealth’s own Lydia R. Diamond, Kirsten Greenidge, and many others, to write plays illuminating their own experiences; and
Whereas His first eight productions were sent to New York where they garnered two Pulitzer Prizes, nine Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and seven Drama Critics’ Circle Awards; and
Whereas Through his life and legacy August Wilson has been an inspirational force in the Commonwealth’s theatre community,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 8th, 2012, to be
August Wilson Day
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this third day of April, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts