Resolution 210262
Recognizing and honoring Herb Douglas, the oldest living African American Olympic medalist, for his many life achievements, on and off the track.
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“Resolution No. 210251, entitled a "Resolution recognizing March 31, 2021 as International Transgender Day of Visibility to celebrate transgender and gender non-conforming people around the world, raise awareness about the unique struggles and discrimination they face, Stated Meeting April 8, 2021 and honor their resilience and success"; and Resolution No. , on his appointment to SEPTA's board of directors, making him…”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, April 8, 2021 · Apr 8, 2021 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Mar 25, 2021Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Mar 25, 2021ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
- Apr 8, 2021ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
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..Title Recognizing and honoring Herb Douglas, the oldest living African American Olympic medalist, for his many life achievements, on and off the track. ..Body WHEREAS, Herb Douglas is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has resided in the Wynnefield neighborhood of Philadelphia for many years; and WHEREAS, Herb Douglas broke records at the University of Pittsburgh, where he won four NCAA championships in the long jump and one in the 100-yard dash, and three AAU long-jump titles. He held the university's long-jump record for 33 years. He also played football at Pitt, becoming the second African American player to score a touchdown against Notre Dame; and WHEREAS, Douglas participated in the 1942 Penn Relays in Philadelphia. He was a member of the 440-yard relay team from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Historically Black University. Douglas' team won with a time of 41.7 seconds, making Xavier the first HBCU champion at the Penn Relays; and WHEREAS, At just 26-years-old, Douglas participated in the 1948 Olympic Games in London, earning a bronze medal in the long-jump competition. During the tournament, Douglas jumped 24 feet and nine inches; and WHEREAS, Douglas was also a trailblazer in the business world. After joining the fine wine and spirits distributor Schieffelin & Co. (now Moet/Hennessey USA) in 1963, he became the third African American in history to reach the level of Vice President of a national company. He worked at the company for 30 years; and WHEREAS, Douglas has mentored subsequent Olympic gold medalists, such as Edwin Moses and Roger Kingdom; and WHEREAS, In 1980, Douglas co-founded the Jesse Owens Foundation, named after his long-time friend, Jesse Owens, the famous African American track and field athlete, who earned four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin; and WHEREAS, Douglas celebrated his 99th birthday on March 9, 2021. He is the oldest living African American Olympic medalist; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors Herb Douglas, the oldest living African American Olympic medalist, for his many life achievements, on and off the track. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Herb Douglas as evidence of the sincere appreciation and respect of this legislative body. ..End