Resolution 160568

..Title Honoring and Recognizing Lisa Thomas-Laury upon her retirement from WPVI-TV Channel 6. ..Body WHEREAS, Lisa Thomas-Laury joined 6abc on February 20, 1978 as noon co-anchor and reporter. In 1983, she became co-anchor of Action News at 5pm; and WHEREAS, For two decades Lisa hosted the award winning monthly public affairs program, Fast Forward and its "Children First" series as well as special events including the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and 6abc's annual Best of the Class special; and WHEREAS, Lisa earned her degree in Broadcast Journalism from Marshall University. While attending Marshall she became the state's first African American TV weather personality reporting the weekend weather for WSAZ-TV and her career later took her to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Nashville, Tennessee before landing in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Lisa has covered numerous political elections and the Republican National Convention in 2000. She also received numerous community service awards including ones from the Negro Professional and Business Women's Association, United States Jaycees and the American Women in Radio and Television; and WHEREAS, Lisa left WPVI in 2003 after an illness paralyzed her vocal chords, leaving her unable to project her voice. In 2004 she received the "Braveheart Award" from the local chapter of the NAACP for her dedication to her work and the community despite her illness. She was also awarded the Liberty Bell Award from the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities for her devotion to improving the lives of people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, She is married to Dr. William Laury, a Philadelphia internist. Her oldest son Langston graduated from Brown University and her younger son Leland is a graduate of the University of Virginia; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council honors and recognizes Lisa Thomas-Laury upon her retirement from WPVI-TV Channel 6. ..End