HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-23-0061City of Miami
Resolution R-23-0061
Legislation
File Number: 13203
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date: 1/26/2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION BY 4/5THS VOTE CO -
DESIGNATING NORTHWEST 32ND STREET BETWEEN 7TH AVENUE AND
7TH PLACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS "FATHER JOSE LUIS MENENDEZ
STREET;" FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICES.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Manolo Reyes, Commissioner Christine King
WHEREAS, Father Jose Luis Menendez was born in Havana, Cuba on May 8, 1947. He
attended Belen School which is where he believes he developed his personal ideas to help
others and where he discovered his purpose and mission in life; and
WHEREAS, his family was well known because of their H. Upmann cigar enterprises;
and
WHEREAS, after the Castro revolution took control of Cuba, Father Menendez and his
family left Cuba for Spain in September of 1960 where he received his education. It was there
that he decided to follow a religious vocation and after his graduation from seminary studies was
ordained as a priest in Madrid in 1977; and
WHEREAS, in 1980 Father Menendez started a successful career as a priest in the
Miami Archdiocese, and after serving in St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami he was assigned
responsibilities as a priest at the Miami Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad del Cobre
(Ermita de la Caridad) and also at the La Salle High School. From 1982 to 1988 he also served
as director of Pastoral Ministries for the Archdiocese of Miami; and
WHEREAS, in 1988 Father Menendez became the pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic
Church in Miami, developing ministries among all the different ethnic groups in the area. During
that time, he was able to start a mission with regular Sunday masses for the large Dominican
population in Wynwood and surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, while at Corpus Christi it was his goal to engage the community and create
a place where the youth could develop culturally and learn more about God; and
WHEREAS, it was Father Menendez' desire to bring others closer to God and His
Church which prompted him to build a chapel on the grounds of Corpus Christi Catholic Church
that is a replica of a church in Peru; and
WHEREAS, he is the founder and director of Museo Colonial de la Florida (Florida
Cultural Museum). Through his efforts visitors to Miami can also enjoy one of the largest
collections of Peruvian colonial religious art to be found anywhere. The government of Peru
conferred upon him the Order of Merit (Orden del Merito); and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 13203 (Revision: A) Printed On: 211012023
File ID: 13203 Enactment Number: R-23-0061
WHEREAS, it is not possible to describe religi
Hispanic communities without including the outstandil
and as a result, his ecumenical and Interfaith activit
denominations. He has supported different activities in
his native country, and the King of Spain honored him
Isabel la Catolica; and
)us and cultural work in the Cuban and
ig work of Father Jose Luis Menendez
es have been honored by all religious
favor of the defense of human rights in
with the prestigious medal -La Orden de
WHEREAS, Father Jose Luis Menendez is one of the best-known Cuban clergymen in
South Florida and among Hispanics in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to honor Father Jose Luis Menendez'
numerous contributions to the City of Miami by co -designating Northwest 32nd Street between
7t" Avenue and 7t" Place, Miami, Florida, as "Father Jose Luis Menendez Street;"
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and finding contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission by 4/5ths vote hereby co -designates that portion of
Northwest 32 Street between 7t" Avenue and 7t" Place, Miami, Florida as "Father Jose Luis
Menendez Street."
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Departments of Police, Fire -Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami -Dade County Department of
Transportation and Public Works; and the United States Postal Service.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
1 1
i � 4aindez, City ttor ey 1/4/2023 "na ndez, ity iWor iey 111712023
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 13203 (Revision: A) Printed on: 211012023