Councilmember C.T. Martin sponsors legislation To Rename
International Boulevard to Andrew Young
International Boulevard

ATLANTA- Ambassador and Mrs. Andrew Young, Mayor Bill Campbell, Councilmembers C.T. Martin, "Able" Mable Thomas and Jim Maddox were joined by the extended Young family, friends and well-wishers on March 10, 2001 to change International Boulevard to Andrew Young International Boulevard. The ceremony culminated a weekend of festivities to celebrate Young's 69th birthday. Councilmember C.T. Martin sponsored the legislation to rename the street. C.T. Martin and Harriet Watkins of Georgia Power Co. searched for recognition throughout the city for one of Atlanta's most valued residents.

The search turned up Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Public Policy but no significant city recognition. One thought was to name a street for Ambassador Young, especially since he was so instrumental in making Atlanta an international city. The next thought was a to deal with the circumstances involved in a street's name change. The issues of address changes, stationary changes and the necessary logistics for street and exit signs. "He has been a visionary in so many spectrums -- a visionary in education, economics, politics, civil rights, social engagement and spiritually," said Martin. "We thought honoring him with a Street would give his legacy perpetuity so that children could look up, see his name and connect him with his deeds."

Young's accomplishments span decades. In the 1960's, he worked with the late Martin Luther King Jr. in spearheading grassroots desegregation efforts in the South. He also led the effort to bring the 1996 Centennial Olympics Games to Atlanta. He distinguished himself as a preacher, civil rights leader, mayor, husband, father, ambassador and educator. "We wanted to connect him to one of the biggest projects of his life -- the Centennial Olympic Games and thought that International Boulevard was a good selection since it ran through Centennial Park." Martin said. "

This park already has a statue of another Atlantan and Olympic hero. His ties to the business community and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, which is located on the street, made the selection easy because it fit well with his contributions," He said. The other processes were ordinance designation, recruitment of necessary signatures, name research, community and family input before the vote. The Council unanimously passed the ordinance to change the street name. Councilmember Martin specifically pointed out the efforts of Harriet Watkins, District 2 Councilmember Debi Starnes, Post At-Large Councilwoman "Able" Mable Thomas, and Mayor Bill Campbell.