2014 World Maritime Day ~ ALC ~ Congressional Black Caucus Weekend

Building on a solid foundation, the legacy of Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr.. and the amazing living legacy of the global Leidesdorf extended family will help bring greater clarity to the contributions of people of African ancestry before, during and after the "Age of Sail."

World Maritime Day 2014: “International Maritime Organization Conventions: Effective Implementation” the exciting news from "sea to shinning sea" about the steam vessel, "The Sitka" was sighted during the planning for 2015 International Juneteenth Sesquicentennial Celebrations.

The good news, of the replication of "The Sitka" will help prepare a wonderful reception in Washington D.C., Thursday, September 25, 2014, on the heals of the first USA ~ African Leaders Summit. Indeed, expanded US ~ Pan African Global Trade and Commerce builds on an amazing legacy.

California Legislature Assembly Resolution

World Maritime Day 2010
William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr.
Bicentennial Celebration

WHEREAS, the William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Bicentennial Project, Africa-USA International Chamber of Commerce and Industry and African Cultural Festival, urge all California Port’s to support the United Nations, International Maritime Organization by celebrating September 23-25, 2010 as World Maritime Day, California Trade with Africa and the African Diaspora; and

WHEREAS, on this special occasion, it is appropriate to highlight the ongoing development of California’s maritime industries that facilitate California’s competitive advantage in global markets and communicate the importance of sustained investment in our California Port’s and Intermodal Transportation Systems that fuels our economy and quality of life for over 160 years; and

WHEREAS, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr., a leading civic leader and pioneer in the successful quest for California to become the 31st State of our U.S.A., was born in 1810 in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to Anna Marie Sparks, an African Cuban and William Leidesdorff, Sr., a Danish Jew; and

WHEREAS, in 1841, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. sailed the vessel, the Julia Ann, into the sleepy Mexican fishing village of Yerba Buena, modern San Francisco, to establish the Bay Area as a world maritime center; and accepted the position of United States Vice-Consul in the Mexican Alta California region, by serving our nation in this capacity he is the first U.S. Diplomat of African Ancestry, affectionately known as the “African Founding Father of California”; and

WHEREAS, in 1847, William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. captained the first and only steam ship in California prior to the Gold Rush, his maiden steam voyage up Sacramento River is immortalized on our California State Seal and recognizes his vision for creation of California Maritime Intermodal Transportation Systems of “California Grown” agricultural products throughout world markets; and

WHEREAS, on World Maritime Day 2010, we prepare for the Bicentennial Celebration of the birth of the Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. and utilize his golden legacy of maritime excellence and multicultural heritage to highlight our unique California pioneer and National leader.

RESOLVED by Assembly Members Roger Niello, Tom Ammiano and Sandre R. Swanson, that they recognize World Maritime Day 2010 and the William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Bicentennial Celebration as it celebrates the global maritime legacy , an prepares for the expanded future opportunities through the California Trade with Africa and the African Diaspora.

Members Resolution No. 2023
Dated this 24th day of September, 2010

Honorable Roger Niello
Honorable Tom Ammiano
Honorable Sandre R. Swanson