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ResolutionADOPTEDCeremonial

Resolution 200121

Also naming the 1600 to 1700 block of West Jefferson Street, as “Dr. Oscar J. Cooper Way” to honor the life of Oscar James Cooper and his contributions to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the medical community in the City of Philadelphia.

Introduced Feb 6, 2020CITY COUNCILOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Council President ClarkeCouncilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember ParkerCouncilmember OhCouncilmember JohnsonCouncilmember HenonCouncilmember GreenCouncilmember DombCouncilmember GauthierCouncilmember JonesCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember GymCouncilmember ThomasCouncilmember Bass

From the floor

Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.

  1. “Thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise to welcome the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Omega Chapter to Philadelphia City Council. I'd like to ask all the members who are here representing Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Omega Chapter, who is celebrating their chapter centennial this year, and they're here in support of Resolution 200121, which will name the 1600 to 1700 block of West Jeff…”

    Councilwoman Richardson · Stated Meeting, February 13, 2020 · Feb 13, 2020 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “Good morning. Good morning, Council President Clarke, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, and members of Council. A special thanks for this resolution. And so we're here to speak in support of Resolution No. 200121. My name is Mark Edwards. I'm the elected President, or as we refer to the position Basileus, of Mu Omega Chapter. Mu Omega Chapter is a graduate Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fra…”

    Mr. Edwards · Stated Meeting, February 13, 2020 · Feb 13, 2020 · official transcript, this passage

  3. “Good morning, esteemed Council, family, and friends. When you live your life around what matters most, it gives perspective to what matters at all. The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Second District, the mighty Second District, I am the First District representative, First Vice District representative that encompasses the states of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and of course the great stat…”

    Mr. Kent · Stated Meeting, February 13, 2020 · Feb 13, 2020 · official transcript, this passage

  4. “Resolution 200121 has been adopted. (Applause.)”

    Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, February 13, 2020 · Feb 13, 2020 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. Feb 6, 2020Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
  2. Feb 13, 2020ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL

Official documents

Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.

Full text

Read the full text as published

..Title Also naming the 1600 to 1700 block of West Jefferson Street, as "Dr. Oscar J. Cooper Way" to honor the life of Oscar James Cooper and his contributions to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the medical community in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, Born in Washington, D.C. in 1888, Oscar James Cooper attended M Street High School and went on to received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Howard University in 1913 and then his medical degree from Howard's School of Medicine in 1917; and WHEREAS, While an undergraduate student at Howard in 1911, Cooper, along with his classmates Frank Coleman, Edgar A. Love, and their professor, Dr. Ernest Just, founded the inaugural chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on the cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift; and WHEREAS, Upon his graduation from medical school, Cooper moved north to Philadelphia, starting his own medical practice out of his home at 1621 West Jefferson Street; and WHEREAS, Dr. Cooper was a charter member of the local graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Mu Omega, serving as its first basileus from 1920-1922; and WHEREAS, He successfully practiced medicine in Philadelphia for 50 years, winning numerous awards, until his death in 1972; and WHEREAS, His legacy as one of the Fraternity's four founders - representing hard work and service to his brothers and the community lives on today; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 1600 to 1700 block of West Jefferson Street, as "Dr. Oscar J. Cooper Way" to honor the life of Oscar James Cooper and his contributions to the Mu Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in the City of Philadelphia. ..End