THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

HONORS AND REMEMBERS

DAVID LEWIS

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Whereas, David Lewis was born November 23, 1955 in San Francisco, and grew up in East Palo Alto, California; and

Whereas, Mr. Lewis was a social activist devoting the later part of his life to recovery for substance-abuse addicts, civil rights for the formerly-incarcerated, and education and treatment for African-Americans affected by HIV/AIDS; and

Whereas, in 1992, Mr. Lewis co-founded Free At Last a drug treatment and prisoner rehabilitation program; and

Whereas, under Mr. Lewis’ leadership, Free At Last provided quality individualized recovery services to residents in San Mateo County and served as the host agency for the Parole Re-Entry Program; a program which simultaneously lowered recidivism and increased employment rates for participants; and

Whereas, Mr. Lewis, a respected member of Service Employees International Union, served as the Community Program Specialist for the County of San Mateo where he provided supportive services for community members affected by HIV/AIDS; and

Whereas, Mr. Lewis’ impact extended beyond East Palo Alto and San Mateo County; he was a nationally-recognized speaker on recovery and personal change, and he encouraged the creation of recovery programs across the United States as well as in Kenya, Tanzania and Kazakhstan; and

Whereas, Mr. Lewis’ was featured in Bill Moyer’s video “Circle of Recovery,” and received numerous national awards and grants for his accomplishments including the Positive Image Award in 1992, Echoing Green in 1993, California Wellness Foundation’s Peace Prize in 1994, and Jefferson Award in 2007; and

Whereas, Mr. Lewis’ commitment to changing the lives of those around him was inspired by the transformation he made in his own life over twenty years ago; and

Whereas, in 1989 during the Loma Prieta earthquake, Mr. Lewis had a spiritual awakening when he was incarcerated at San Quentin; he realized he had to turn from addiction, and turn towards recovery and social justice; and

Whereas, while Mr. Lewis life on earth ended June 9, 2010, his memory continues in his children, family, friends and service, and his everlasting spirit lives forever.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of

San Mateo, State of California, hereby honors and remembers Mr. David Lewis for his dedication to disenfranchised people all over the world.

Dated: June 20, 2010

SUPERVISORS:

RICHARD S. GORDON, PRESIDENT

MARK CHURCH

CAROLE GROOM

ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors