Resolution 070243

..Title Honoring and recognizing the Honorable Alan K. Silberstein on the occasion of his retirement. ..Body WHEREAS, The Honorable Alan K. Silberstein has held the position of President Judge Emeritus of Philadelphia Municipal Court since January 1999 and, for the previous 11 years, had held the office of President Judge and the two years immediately preceding as Acting President Judge; and WHEREAS, Prior to serving as President Judge, Judge Silberstein presided with distinction from the Municipal Bench for ten years, beginning his long career as a jurist in January 1976; and WHEREAS, In addition to his more than 30 years on the bench, Judge Silberstein was Special Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Transportation, and a partner on the Herman, Bayer and Silberstein law firm. He began his practice as a sole practitioner in 1964; and WHEREAS, The Judge has maintained his commitment to the community through his dedication to the Northeast Community Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation, acting at various times in various executive positions including President and Vice-President, and as a Member of the Board of Directors since November 1974. In addition he is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Hemophilia Foundation and an active member of the National Conference of Metropolitan Courts; the American Judge's Association; the American Trial Lawyers' Association; the Temple University Law Alumni Association; the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations; the B'nai Brith - Justice Lodge; the Pannonia Beneficial Association; the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission; the Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention; the Pennsylvania Bar Institute as a Lecturer on Eminent Domain; and the Advisory Committee of the Jenkins Memorial Law Library; and WHEREAS, Judge Silberstein has received numerous honors and awards including being named one of only two honorary members of the American Society of Appraisers; the John F. Kennedy Memorial Award in recognition of significant contributions to the field of mental health and mental retardation; the John Peter Zenger Award as a distinguished jurist; the Distinguished Service Award from the Ronald Bruce Nippon Association in recognition for his work in the field of mental health; and the Community Services Award from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; and WHEREAS, Judge Silberstein has earned the respect and admiration of his peers for over 30 years of public service to the City of Philadelphia; now therefore RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Honors and recognizes the Honorable Alan K. Silberstein on the occasion of his retirement. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Alan K. Silberstein as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End