Resolution 170314

..Title Honoring the 30th Annual All Star Labor Classic Basketball Tournament. ..Body WHEREAS, The All Star Labor Classic is a high school basketball fundraiser sponsored by Philadelphia's Organized Labor. The first classic was born out of a fundraising request made by Blossom Philadelphia (formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia) to the Building and Construction Trades Council. The result was a squad of Labor "All Stars" going up against the Harlem Globetrotters at the old Spectrum. The Council purchased all of the tickets to the event at a cost of $125,000; they still managed to raise $5,000; and WHEREAS, The next year, with the Labor All Stars officially retired, Midge Clavin and Sam Glassmire created the current All Star Classic format. Since that time, nearly 2,000 high school athletes have competed in this event, including future pros Marvin Harrison, Cuttino "Cat" Mobley, Malik Rose and the pride of Saint Joseph's University, Jameer Nelson; and WHEREAS, Over the course of the past 30 years, this event, due to the tireless efforts of the Building Trades, has raised over two million dollars to benefit Blossom Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Funds raised from the event for Blossom Philadelphia are used to allow Blossom staff to provide social and community support to the Blossom community and their families. This event also provides funding to award sixty college scholarships every year to high school seniors; and WHEREAS, Spectators can enjoy a day of exciting basketball by the best high school seniors in the five county area in a city vs. suburbs match-up. A total of 64 male and female athletes are selected to participate in this Philadelphia-area sporting tradition; and WHEREAS, Blossom Philadelphia has also founded the All Star Labor Classic Alumni Alliance whose purpose is to utilize the network of past participants to mentor future participating high school athletes and recognize and honor their accomplishments; and WHEREAS, The All Star Labor Classic continues to grow, through the efforts of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, and with support from loyal sponsors such as Citizens Bank, Comcast Corporation, Comcast Spectacor, Independence Blue Cross, NECA Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and many more. The media and local celebrities, including local college basketball coaches, have also embraced the All Star Labor Classic and helped to shape its success; and WHEREAS, This year's tournament will be taking place on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Philadelphia University beginning at 10:30 am; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and recognize the 30th Annual All Star Labor Classic Basketball Tournament. RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. ..End