Fred Marchant Day in Boston

 

On Christmas Eve Day, 2016, in the lobby of Suffolk University’s Stahl Building, the Poet Laureate of Boston, Danielle Legros Georges, and Mr. Thomas Johnston, on behalf of Mayor Martin J. Walsh delivered the following proclamation. This honor reminds us all of the important contribution the arts make to the health and well-being of the city, wherever that city may be.

 

PROCLAMATION:

WHEREAS: Fred Marchant has earned a reputation as one of Boston’s most active and vital literary voices, serving as poet, translator, organizer, great friend and supporter of Boston’s literary community. Marchant has served as Director of both the Poetry Center and the Creative Writing Program at Suffolk University; AND:

WHEREAS: Fred Marchant was born December 24, 1946. This December marks his 70th birthday; AND

WHEREAS: Fred Marchant is the author of four collections of poetry: Tipping Point, Full Moon Boat, House on Water, House in Air, and The Looking House. Additionally, Fred Marchant has contributed to countless literary journals and magazines, and has edited numerous works; AND

WHEREAS: Fred Marchant was one of the first officers to be honorably discharged as a conscientious objector in the Vietnam War. Veterans issues remain a cornerstone of his community service and a major thread of his poetry; AND

WHEREAS: Fred Marchant has been a longtime faculty member at the William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences at University of Massachusetts-Boston, has taught numerous workshops at various sites across the country, and is the 2009 co-winner of the May Sarton Award from he New England Poetry Club, given to poets whose “work is an inspiration to other poets;” AND

WHEREAS: Fred Marchant will release a new collection of poems in Spring 2017, entitled Said Not Said; NOW;

THEREFORE: I, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston, enthusiastically support the creation of  “Fred Marchant Day” to acknowledge his important work and hereby proclaim December 24, 2016 as:

FRED MARCHANT DAY in the City of Boston

Signed by Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston, December 22, 2016