Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. The last bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 080636. 10/30/08 - STATED - 2ND READING
An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to convey fee simple title to a certain property located in the vicinity of 61st Street and Eastwick Avenue to the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. Last night I joined millions of Americans across this country who tuned in and listened to Senator Barack Obama in his eloquent, yet laser-beam focus and discussion of the many challenges facing our city. He offered proposed solutions to our broken healthcare system. He talked about energy independence and how everyone must join in energy conservation. He also spoke in great detail about his goals to improve our country's public education system. Senator Barack Obama, Madam President, exemplified the words best spoken by the Governor of Massachusetts where he said, and I quote, "The challenges before us are big. They're going to require big solutions. This is going to require someone with big ideas, and that man is Senator Barack Obama." Madam President, but I've learned in my last eight years here that pay attention to what is happening nationally, politics is local. When we consider in Philadelphia that one-half of our ninth graders who enter ninth grade 48 months later do not see the graduation door, 45 percent of the dropout rate of young people from kindergarten to 12th grade is a leading contributor to poverty and crime. Experts agree that the City's dismal college-going achievement rate, where nationally Pennsylvania ranks 92 out of 100, cripples our city's economy. The national dropout rate is a national catastrophe. It is also an expensive one. Dropouts are three times more likely to be unemployed, eight times more likely to be incarcerated. So why do I raise this issue at this time, Madam President? I believe that we here in Philadelphia also have challenges before us that are big at the School District. We need someone who recognizes that these problems require fact, a report commissioned by the General Assembly said in 2007 that there was a $4.4 billion funding shortfall in Pennsylvania's public schools. Governor Rendell and the legislators made a down payment on closing the shortfall with 274 million in additional educational funding in the current fiscal year. So I submit also that we need someone with big ideas to confront these huge challenges. There is now someone I believe, a new leader, at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce who also accepts the challenge and recognizes that the problems facing the School District are big. I believe that we now have someone with big ideas to confront those challenges. Further, I believe that the new Chairman at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce believes that the Chamber can remain focused on its core mission of advocating for businesses the expansion and education funding, which can eventually improve our region's economic competitiveness. So I join in many educators across this city who applaud this new bold direction at the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. We now have Sandra Dungee Glenn as its capable Chairperson of the SRC, Dr. Arlene Ackerman as its no-nonsense CEO, and the new now David L. Cohen as the new Chair of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He in fact said that, quote, "Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is absolutely essential for our businesses to boost education funding. The Chamber cannot pursue an exclusively business agenda. We have to have a broader view of the vitality of the region and work in partnership with all those involved." Madam President, I believe that at the end of the day, the educational stars are better aligned and have become children. I thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. Councilman DiCicco, do you still want to be recognized? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: No, Madam President.
Are there any other members of the majority that would like to be recognized? (No response.)
Seeing no one, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until November the 6th, Thursday, 2008, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council Thursday, November 6th. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on October 30, 2008, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)