Resolution 211004

..Title Recognizing and honoring Al Schmidt for his 10-year tenure as a Philadelphia City Commissioner, and wishing him well as he begins a new chapter in his career as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Committee of Seventy. ..Body WHEREAS, Al Schmidt is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but is now a proud resident of the 4th Councilmanic District of Philadelphia. He holds a bachelor's degree in History from Allegheny College, and a PhD from Brandeis University; and WHEREAS, Schmidt has dedicated his life and career to public service. Before serving as an elected official in Philadelphia, Schmidt worked as a Senior Analyst in the Government Accountability Office and was also a Policy Analyst for the Presidential Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States; and WHEREAS, Schmidt was elected to serve as a Philadelphia City Commissioner in November of 2011 and is currently serving his third term in office. As a Commissioner, he serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Bipartisan Board of Elections; and WHEREAS, During Schmidt's time as a City Commissioner, he worked to modernize election operations, improve efficiency, and bring greater integrity to the election process. Schmidt also used his position to advocate for open data, releasing numerous election related reports and exposing vulnerabilities in the election process and voting irregularities; and WHEREAS, Schmidt remained nonpartisan during his tenure as Commission, with his sole goal being upholding the Democracy. When the results of the 2020 Presidential Election came under attack, Commissioner Schmidt stood up against baseless claims of voter fraud and did everything in his power to ensure an election that was both free and fair. Because of his stance, Commissioner Schmidt was repeatedly attacked by former President Trump and even received death threats against his life and the lives of his three young children; and WHEREAS, In January of 2022, Schmidt will step down from his elected role and begin his tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Committee of Seventy. The Committee of Seventy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as a good government group, focusing on a variety of issues effecting the City of Philadelphia and its voters; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Council is looking forward to Committee of Seventy's new leadership, and is proud of Al Schmidt's unwavering service to the citizens of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the dedicated service of Al Schmidt to The City of Philadelphia be recognized and memorialized by virtue of this resolution. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Al Schmidt, as evidence of the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body. ..End