Councilmember Tammy Morales holding portrait of George Fleming with Tina Fleming, Sharon Lee, Nate Miles and the Fleming Family
On February 27th, the Seattle City Council passed a resolution providing an honorary designation of 43rd Ave S between S Othello St and S Webster St as “Sen George Fleming Way.”
George Fleming's daughter Yemi and wife Tina speak at City Council
Tina Fleming's speech:
"Good afternoon Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales, distinguished City Councilmembers, Seattle Department of Transportation and our friend Executive Director Sharon Lee of the Low Income Housing Institute. My name is Tina Fleming, and my daughters Sonja and Yemi, son-in-law Rodney Jackson, Nate Miles and I are honored by today's proclamation announcing the naming of 43rd Ave. S. between Othello St. and S. Webster St. as Senator George Fleming Way.
"George worked hard for the 37th district and the people of Washington state for over 22 years. He loved this community. This honor ensure his legacy will live on in hearts and minds.
"Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and consideration."
CITY OF SEATTLE RESOLUTION 32126
A RESOLUTION providing an honorary designation of 43rd Ave S between S Othello St and S Webster St as “Sen George Fleming Way.”
WHEREAS, George Fleming was elected first as a State Representative in 1969, then as Senator in 1971, serving the 37th District of Southeast Seattle/Rainier Valley for 22 years until 1991; and
WHEREAS, George Fleming was the first African-American Senator in Washington state and was a champion for housing who authored the law creating the state’s Housing Trust Fund in 1986, and its success is recognized statewide and nationally; and
WHEREAS, George Fleming established the Washington State Housing Finance Commission in 1983 and the state’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises; and
WHEREAS, former Governor Gary Locke called George Fleming the conscience of the state legislature for his work on affordable housing, civil rights, and civil liberties; and
WHEREAS, former King County Executive and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims said, “He was a composer of this state’s affordable and subsidized housing policy. This is music that will be heard for generations”; and
WHEREAS, Husky Legend and University of Washington (UW) Hall of Famer George Fleming holds a place dear in the hearts of longtime fans of UW football for an outstanding career and was the star of the 1960 and ’61 Rose Bowls (co-MVP of the ’60 game), and played several years in the NFL and CFL; and
WHEREAS, George Fleming Place was built by the Low Income Housing Institute at 7357 43rd Ave S in the Othello neighborhood in 2022;
NOW, THEREFORE, SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR
CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. 43rd Avenue South between South Othello and South Webster Streets shall have an honorary designation as “Sen George Fleming Way.”
Section 2. The Council requests that the Seattle Department of Transportation manufacture, install, and maintain honorary signs at the locations and intersections above that reflect the “Sen George Fleming Way” honorary designation.
George and Tina Fleming visiting LIHI's George Fleming Place in 2021 with Rep Frank Chopp and Sharon Lee
Located in Seattle's Othello neighborhood at 7357 43rd Ave. S., George Fleming Place features 106 affordable apartments serving families with children, veterans, low-wage workers and people living with disabilities. Ten apartments are designated to help Afghan refugees seeking asylum.