Stories and photos by Austin Williams
The dedication of the newly named Roland Burris Way was held on Saturday, with honoree Roland Burris, Mayor Bryan Kuder and city council members, and a crowd of over fifty people in attendance. The ceremony took place at the site of the new sign near the Second Missionary Baptist Church at the intersection of Maple Street and Haussler Street. The section of Maple Street between Rexford Street and Broadway has been designated as Roland Burris Way.
Mayor Kuder began the ceremony by reading an official declaration acknowledging Burris’s career accomplishments in the banking industry as well as his political accomplishments, including serving three elected terms as Illinois Comptroller, one as Illinois Attorney General, and an appointment to the United States Senate in 2009. The declaration concluded by proclaiming the day of the ceremony as a day to celebrate Burris’s accomplishments.
Burris then spoke, thanking those in attendance including family members, longtime friends, and high school classmates. Burris, a graduate of Centralia High School, talked about the influence Centralia has had on him and his family, and stressed the importance of being active within the community.
When asked how he felt about having a street in his hometown named after him, Burris expressed his gratitude:
“It is an honor and a privilege and a pleasure to have this type of recognition in your hometown,” Burris said. “I grew up in this community, I was raised by everybody in the community… I’m honored that they would remember me in this way… I hope I can be an example for all our young people growing up and let them know that if Roland Burris can do it, they have no choice but to be successful. I live in Chicago now, but Centralia is home, and will always be home.”
After the speech was over and the ceremony concluded, Burris took time to converse and take pictures with those in attendance.
Centralia Mayor Brian Kuder presents a proclamation to Roland Burris for his lifetime accomplishments at Saturday’s street naming ceremony.
