COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 25, 2003 10:18 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670
I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Monsignor James J. Howard. Monsignor Howard is here today as the guest of Councilman Rizzo. All members and guests will please rise.
Good morning. I come to you in a prayerful spirit as you begin this session of deliberations. May the Lord grant you wisdom and understanding and answer you in times of distress so that you will seek and establish justice, peace and prosperity for all in our City of Brotherly Love. May you seek the assistance of the Lord, for the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoice in the heart. The command of the Lord is clear. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. And the ordinances of the Lord are true; all of them, just. blessing and guidance of the Lord be upon you and with you now during these days of this session. And always may you do what is right, love goodness, and walk humbly with God. Amen.
The Chair thanks the Monsignor for his very inspiring invocation. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of September 18, 2003. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 18, 2003, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal the meeting of Thursday, September 18, 2003, stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 18, 2003, is approved. The next order of business is request for leave of absence. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the Majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilman Ortiz.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. Leave will be granted. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leaves of absence.
The Chair thanks the Councilman. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and Chambers this morning. On behalf of all Members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council Session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our City. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo to will present a resolution honoring Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua. Will Cardinal Bevilacqua and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium.
Good morning, everyone. I'm pleased to be able to present this resolution today honoring Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua upon his retirement after 15 years of faithful service and leadership as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cardinal Bevilacqua, thank you for all of your hard work and making Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the United States of America a better place for all of us. This resolution resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua -- excuse me for stumbling. I don't normally do resolutions for Council by the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua upon his retirement after 15 years of faithful service and leadership as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of the Philadelphia. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua as evidence of the sincere sentiments and gratitude of this legislative body for his leadership, spiritual and moral guidance and dedication to the citizens of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Thank you very much, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, for all your hard work. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Cardinal Bevilacqua for remarks. CARDINAL BEVILACQUA: Before my official remarks, from what was said I was reminded when I came here over 15 years ago and after a while one of my family -- my sister said, "How long did it take you to come to adjust to your change in Philadelphia and love the people? It must have taken a while." said, "Yeah, it did. About three seconds." It took that long to come and love my City of Philadelphia. And it is my City of Philadelphia also. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all Members of City Council, especially Councilman Rizzo and Council President Verna for bestowing this great honor upon me. I must say that I have mixed emotions in receiving this honor, as I have greatly enjoyed my time as Archbishop of Philadelphia, during which I strove to be of service to this great City of Philadelphia and to the Archdiocese. Yet I am quite cognizant that this chapter in my life has now come to a close. By honoring me with this resolution, City Council is really honoring the many faithful of the Archdiocese, its clergy, consecrated religious and its lay staff who work with you to make this City a home for so many, a City that cares for and protects the least among us. The Archdiocese is proud to be a good citizen of this City and to partner with City Government in delivering services need, be they our poor, our youth, our elderly, our immigrants or the many other sustained by our partnership, a partnership bound by benevolence and hope. While we have not always taken the same position on issues, I know that the Councilmembers and the Archdiocese have always sought to act with the best interest of Philadelphia's citizens in their hearts. I am confident that the City Council, its counterparts in City Government and the Archdiocese under the leadership of my successor, Archbishop Justin Regalli, together with the citizens of Philadelphia, will continue to forge a path through vibrant opportunities for all Philadelphians, a path toward physical and emotional security for all that need sanctuary. A path toward full unity in the bonds of our brotherhood and citizenship. A path toward our truth fulfillment as the City of Brotherly Love because if our actions are indeed based on love, we will always have struck upon the essence of what we seek to accomplish. Again, I thank you, Members of the City Council. Please know that you and all the citizens of this great City will remain in my thoughts and to come. I have been very proud and am proud to be a citizen of Philadelphia. And I pray that may almighty God continue to grant Philadelphia abundance of his blessings. Thank you again. (Applause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Clerk. The Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor. THE
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advised you that on September 25, 2003, I signed Bill No. 030335A that was passed by Council at its session on September 11, 2003. And to the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the First Class Act, Bill Nos. 020810, 030098, 030178, 030220, 030016A, 030115, and Bill No. 030342, I am pleased to submit herewith my proclamation designating November 4, 2003, as the date of each special election referenced herein to decide whether the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter shall or shall not be amended. And a resolution authorizing the Director of Commerce on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to file an application and, if the application is accepted, to execute a contract to obtain a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development. And an ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to purchase a certain track of land located at the northwest corner of the Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession. THE
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended to permit the immediate consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All of favor of that motion will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. & RESOLUTIONS The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring Fred Shavel for his successful leadership of the Board of Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation.
Move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. & RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. This morning I offer one bill and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new Section 14-1628, entitled "Third Councilmanic District Special Controls," prohibiting certain uses in the third Councilmanic District, under certain terms and condition .
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will now read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City deeds located in the 6th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, & RESOLUTIONS Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognize Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, I have one resolution for which I seek action this morning.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
I also wish, Madam President, to speak on the resolution. THE
A resolution calling on Temple University Hospital to acknowledge the vital importance of nurses to patient care by & RESOLUTIONS bargaining in good faith with the Temple University Hospital Staff Nurses Association, Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals and responding to the union's reasonable demands that the hospital increase staffing, reduce forced overtime, and provide affordable health care and fair wage increases to nurses currently on staff.
Thank you, Madam President. On the surface, this seems like an ordinary routine resolution, but that's not the fact at all. The fact is that in the United States today, with economic signs indicating a return of recovery, what's happening to working people is just the reverse. There is no recovery for working people. In fact, layoffs continue at a very heavy pace and it's all covered by business, by government, whether the government is Republican or Democratic seems to make no difference at all. Everybody seems to be united against workers as if productivity is a magical thing that will solve all problems. It's not solving the unemployment problem. It's not solving the threat to the & RESOLUTIONS economic life of the country because there is less consumer confidence because there's less consumer money. And what has happened is that the American people have been sold a great myth. They've been told greater productivity is what we're looking for. Well, today in Philadelphia, it seems like the real facts are beginning to emerge. Temple University, a great institution in Philadelphia, one most of us are very proud of most of the time, not all the time, but most of the time because it offered the road many years ago to working class people and poor people for higher education advancement and the like. Temple University, despite its origin, despite the fact that a recent bond prospectus shows that Temple has a surplus earned last year of $99 million, Temple University Hospital has joined a gang of business and government people who say, "Let's have productivity, but let's have it on the back of workers." Therefore, they've refused to fill staffing requirements for nurses. And there's been studies shown that when you reduce the number of nurses, you threaten life. I can speak as a veteran of hospital & RESOLUTIONS care. But most of you who are too young yet to know about that have parents who have suffered through hospital care and you know that nurses are really God's angles. They perform under very difficult circumstances. They're always available and if you have to go to the hospital, they make life livable. Without them, it's easy to understand why a shortage of nurses produces very dangerous health effects. They're fighting back. They're saying to Temple University, it's about time health care for patients was considered. And you can't consider health care for patients unless you consider the circumstances of the people who work in health care. So they're fighting against efforts by Temple University to reduce health benefits. They're fighting for increased wages. And they're fighting most importantly, in my opinion, for staff increases for nurses. They're saying it's time to put an end of this cutting down on the number of nurses. You're endangering the health of both the patients and nurses by putting impossible demands. So in Philadelphia, we can be very proud that we have a group of workers at Temple University who are not joining the parade against themselves. & RESOLUTIONS They're fighting for their rights; and in doing that, they're fighting for everybody's rights. Therefore, I urge everyone to give unanimous support to this resolution. It calls upon Temple University to take adequate steps to produce the kind of staffing that's needed and to see that health care personnel are treated fairly, both on money, on health care, and on the number of workers so they're not worked to death and so that their patients don't suffer. Thank you very much, Madam President.
Thank you. Councilman. Would you make a motion, please, for the adoption?
I move the adoption of the resolution, Madam President. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on North Randolph Street between West Erie Avenue and West Butler Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman & RESOLUTIONS Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today, I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution to be referred to the appropriate committee.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution nominating Philadelphia residents for appointment by the Mayor to the Police Advisory Commission.
Thank you, Madam President. This resolution needs to be referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The resolution will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, & RESOLUTIONS Madam President. I offer no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 31st Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been & RESOLUTIONS moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance granting permission to Bliss Restaurant, located 220-224 South Broad Street to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe on the west footway of 220-224 South Broad Street.
The bill will & RESOLUTIONS be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution honoring Robert J. Hall upon his retirement after 13 years as publisher of Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.
I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. There are no committee reports. Therefore, our next item of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chief Clerk will please read the bill on the Calendar for the first reading. THE
Bill No. 030487, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Funds - Deposits, Investments, Disbursements," by amending Chapter 19-201, entitled "City Depositories," by authorizing the City Treasurer to deposit funds in Fleet Bank, under certain terms and conditions.
The chair agrees. That concludes the First Reading Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no bills on Second Reading and Final Passage to be considered today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. business regarding the Calendar. Are there any speeches on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the Majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
I'm so sorry. We had guests that were supposed to come in earlier. They have just arrived. They are guests of Councilwoman Blackwell. May I ask that she at this time recognize them?
Thank you, Madam President. As you see, that was Cyclone Hart, one of our champs. We have Bernard Hopkins here, another champ. And we have leaders in our City. We always break the records when it comes to boxing.
Thank you, Madam President. Can we have the champ, Bernard Hopkins come up and Jackie Frazier to make their remarks? (Applause.)
Thank you. First of all, I'd like to say good morning and glad to be a part of the future of the sport that I became very, very successful and, I must say, rich. (Applause.)
But in saying that, I also still and always will remember where I came from and that's why I'm here to support the young amateurs in the late Mr. Blackwell's, what I call, and I told Cyclone Hart, his team. As a Philadelphian, I am proud of this City. I have come a long way. I have been in their position, in the amateurs, in the Power Club where I learned how to box, the Police Athletic League which -(Applause.)
I've been working very hard in between my busy schedule with Steve Cozen who represents -- the firm is representing me in my negotiations with boxing. And let me tell you, everybody that's here, ya'll doing the business of the day, but the young youth that's sitting here, like myself, strayed when I didn't have any goals or future. And I want them to know that if you see Bernard Hopkins riding through the City of Philadelphia and you see me now, it was a struggle and it was adversity and it was changes in my life that I had to make to become who I am today, which is totally a different person to where I've came from. So whatever you believe that you can accomplish, you must understand that it comes with work. It comes with adversity. It comes with challenges. It comes with another force that don't want you to be that way. It's just part of life. It's just part of the balance. You have to have good to have bad. So if I am any inspiration to anyone that know my background and know -- and I always said, not to be extremely proud but to put out there to let people understand that it sums up, the streets I've come from through the system, Youth Study Center, the county jails, Graterford State Penitentiary, nine years of parole at 22 when I came back into society and became the Undisputed Middle Weight Champ of the World without -(Applause.)
I'm not going to take up all the time, but let you know, I don't get goose bumps coming in City Hall no more. (Laughter.)
Because a lot of times I came through this building, it wasn't a good day. (Laughter.)
God is good. Let me tell you, to come through this building with Mrs. Blackwell and everybody and Frank Rizzo and all these people, to me, it gives me goose bumps because I'll never forget that. And that checks me, to be honest with you. I don't want to forget it. But I understand I move on. But I'd like to thank Mrs. Blackwell. everybody here who's supporting these young youth because no matter how much money I get, no matter how much talent I get, no matter how many belts I get, and no matter how much recognition I get, I understand that when it's all said and done, when I'm not the champ no more -- because I'm 38 years and pushing 40 and I don't want to be dancing around another two three years in the ring. I still want to be able to talk without stuttering sometimes and I still want to be able to function and be a part of the City of Philadelphia. The people's champion. The people's champion last longer than the industry champion, because understand that even being the champion, when the champion sport is over, when you don't have no belts and you're not labeled as the boxing world champion, it stops there. But being a people's champion means that's a lot of activities and things that my time has to be directed to, it becomes the people champion. And I'd like to thank everybody again for being here. And I gotta plug my fight in because I am self-managed and I am self-promoted, and I have to say for everybody, December 13th in Atlantic City my 17th title defense on HBO. (Applause.)
The last time I heard recently no fighter in history -- I'm talking about Jack Johnson, maybe the Roman days when they was fighting in the big bull pen -- have accomplished 17 title defenses. That means you have to stay focused when you're a champ. You have to stay disciplined. You have to live right. You have to eat right. You have to get your rest. It's one thing winning the belt. And I always say this in 1995 when I won my first championship title, it's one thing being the champ, but it's a greater thing keeping it. Thank you. I'm sorry I took up so much time. I'm glad to be here. (Applause.)
One thing I have to do that's very important. We have to pay homage to a lady that comes out and I have to thank her for showing up -- and I know I don't have to do this -to my mom's funeral who passed away in August. And she was like my favorite fan. And she was the only one, I think, can beat Don King in the ring or out of the ring. My mom got on his butt. give Mrs. Blackwell a belt because she's a champion of the people like her late husband. (Applause.)
And also to her late husband. Lucien Blackwell Tournament, that's what this was, the Lucien Blackwell Tournament. All the amateurs that had belts on, the tournament, it's always going to be Lucien Blackwell's Tournament. And I also want her to receive his championship belt, just as if he was here because it's only right and it's respectful. And again, I love Philadelphia. I am the American dream. I am the American story. Thank you. (Applause.)
Doesn't get any better than this. I thank God for the opportunity and privilege. I thank Lu who's looking down who is so committed to the champ, went everywhere, followed his career and followed him everywhere he went. I thank God for Jackie Frazier. Maybe they can say a word, and Cyclone Hart who are here. the young people who are here, what an inspiration it is for you to realize that you can make it because you are somebody. Thank you again and God bless. (Applause.)
I promise to absolutely brief. Giving honor to God, I'm just so happy to be here at City Council. The last time I was here is when Lynn Carter was being honored, and that was just truly my privilege and my pleasure. And I just want to say that I'm just so honored to follow the Honorable Jannie Blackwell who is truly a fighter and a champion of our City. And I thank God for the opportunity to know her as a woman and as a City Councilwoman, and also Sister Blondell Reynolds and Marian Tasco and another female that's sitting as the head of City Council, just women, you know, just want to make it clear that we are representing in the household and in City Hall and in the boxing ring. I want to also -- I'm trying to be brief. I also want to thank Brother Cyclone Hart who happens to be one of my coaches. And he is just a brilliant man. He's a loving man. (Applause.)
And his Hart and Miller Boxing Advisory Group is definitely worthy of all the support of the City of Philadelphia, all the boxers and he's doing a great work. So in addition to working with me at Joe Frazier's Gym, I'm just so delighted, when you're a boxer you know that they're interacting with all the other gyms. So I'm just happy to stand here and I thank him so much for the opportunity and the privilege today. I have to also mention my husband, my promoter, my everything, my king, Pete. He's a member of 332. He's the big, beautiful black man sitting in the back row right there. (Applause.)
He's one of the brothers with the 332, Local 332. Anybody that's sitting in City Council should know 332. And they're a part of my family, and I thank God for the Honorable Sam Staten. I believe he's sitting here somewhere. There he is right there. (Applause.)
Every day is a fight. I thank God for the opportunity because in this City labor we deserve to benefit from our work. And I know that City Council is working at that. I see the beautiful Mary Mason sitting right there, so I'm really happy just to see her beautiful smiling face. But I just want to remind everybody that it's a fight every day for our children to have the opportunity to have education, for them to have safe streets. And we need to work together as much as we possibly can and be serious about that. On this coming Sunday, I'd like to invite you all to a rally where Dr. Martin Luther King's son is going to be visiting Philadelphia. Martin Luther King, III, is going to be speaking with Dick Gregory and some other people including Brother Rodney Mohammed. They're going to be talking about the issue of African-American economic growth. And my father, Joe Frazier -- in case you didn't know, I'm the daughter of Joe Frazier, the legend. (Applause.)
And my brother Marvis is a minister who has a youth development program that's as well. And we have a rally this coming Sunday where Martin Luther King, III, is going to speak about the issue of black economic growth and for us to recognize that we need to be serious about how we are putting our monies and using our monies with regards to our children to benefit. So that will be on Sunday, Joe Frazier's Gym, 2900 block. We invite you all to come. It's family and youth day. And we're going to be serious about making it absolutely clear that laborers are to benefit from the work. So leading up to my father's trial. He has a trial. As a fighter, we know that this is an issue where fighters have the tendency to be the easiest mark to be taken advantage of. And there are some people in this town that need to recognize that they should not be taking advantage of boxers. I'm not only a champion boxer inside the ring, but with the pen I am a fighter as well as an attorney. And I want to make it absolutely clear for these young people -(Applause.)
I want it to clear to all these young people standing here that it is more important for you to pay attention to the laws of first, to your parents if you're blessed enough them, some people that are in corner, which hopefully includes Members of this City Council, and it's important for you to understand the significance of your education from one generation to one generation to one generation. We are citizens of this City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this United States, and even more so than that, supposedly leaders of the Free World. So I want you to be free to understand that you have to have the power and the will not only to fight with your hands but with your mind, your spirit, for goodness sake. And with that I just close to say thank you very much. (Applause.)
I want to thank God first for everything that we doing here today with our young youth. I want to thank everybody that's in this office today what we're doing with our young youth. I want to say that I really appreciate everything that we set out to do for our young youth with politicians. I want to say I really appreciate Darrell Clarke in our community. He's doing a great job with our young youth. He's helping us to make (Applause.)
Will all these young kids that's around with belts -- he was a part of this great thing for us. And I want some say I want to thank him for his great help and his support for our young youth. I want to say also, too, that when I came up as a young man, I was a kid coming up, I had it hard because I had polio when I was a kid. It's a hard story to me because it make my cry sometime. I reach out for everybody and I let everybody know I appreciate them. (Applause.)
I have love for everybody here. I don't have a color about black and white issue. My issue is about the people of Philadelphia. I come to help the people of Philadelphia. I come to stand up for our people in Philadelphia. And to have great people in our office that's looking over us as we go in and out at this office of City Council, I want to let everybody know in City Council that we appreciate everything that ya'll doing for our great young youth and I with our young youth. Now, when I came you as a kid -- I have to get back to this because it makes me cry because I look at everybody and I mean it from my heart. When I come up as a kid, I had polio. And when I came up, I used to fall down and the young youth used to laugh at me and grin at me. But as I got older, I met a gentleman that said, "Come into the gym. Try to work out." And the gentleman who told me to come in and try to work out, his name was Sam Solomon. He's not here no more. He's from West Philly. (Applause.)
But one thing I can say about Sam Solomon, he was a great warrior. He put belts and stuff on my feet, build me up to be here today to say what I got to say to our people of Philadelphia. I was a young man, couldn't walk too much. I was a young man, couldn't do the things that other people do. But now I thank God because I can do a lot things right now, walk, talk and fight for my people today. I'm fighting for your young youth because everybody in here deserves a chance in life. (Applause.)
Anything that you set out to do, you can do it. Because I remember times when I couldn't do the things I wanted to do and I cried. But I'm crying right today because I appreciate the things that everybody give me a chance to show my talent in the ring. I was an outstanding fighter, man. I know I had to stand up and fight for my rights. And my rights is to stand up and let them know that anything you want to do, you can do it in this City. Anything that we set out to do, we can do it in this City. We got to have the strength and the drive to be successful. All my young youth in here that got belts on, I want to thank ya'll for being involved with our Lucien Blackwell Tournament. (Applause.)
I want everybody to know that everybody in here worked hard to be here today. I want thank my buddy Chuckie Mills. Stand up, Chuckie Mills. (Applause.)
I want to thank him because he's been doing a great job in our City with our things happen. I want my wife to stand up, Debbie. (Applause.)
I want my kids to stand up. All my kids that came to see me today. I want them to stand up. They took off from school to be here with us today. (Applause.)
And all those who won the belts, I appreciate them. I want them to stand up and let everybody know how we fight in our great Philadelphia. (Applause.)
And we want to thank you all for all the things that ya'll helping us with. And I really appreciate everything you doing. This is what I want to do, I want to place this belt for a great lovely lady, Jackie Frazier, the great champ of Philadelphia, I want to place this around her waist and let her know how we really feel about her. She's a champion of Philadelphia.
I told Cyclone it's better to put it around shoulder because I haven't been should, so I'm more like the fat lawyer. But I will be going for my fifth championship title, and this time it will be heavy weight title just like Joe Frazier. (Applause.)
I want to say to a gentleman that's been a great help to us, Sam Staten, Sr., is out there? And he's 332. I want him to come up because he been a great help to our people of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Here's another 15-round champion. I want to say to everybody, 332, this man has done so much for our people of Philadelphia. He's not a 10-round fighter; he's a 15-round champion of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Every last one -- not only him who's a 15-round champion, Mrs. Blackwell is 15-round champion. (Applause.)
Not only her, Darrell Clarke is a 15-round campion of our City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
These guys have been a great help to our people of Philadelphia. They've been fighting down here for years. For years they've been fighting for us, for years in City Hall. They've been fighting for us for years in City Hall. (Applause.)
Yeah, I'm a tell it. I'm a tell it because they fighting all the time. They talk about 15 rounds, how you think about 30-round champions of Philadelphia because that's what they are. (Applause.)
And I want to say that I appreciate all of them. I want to say that all of them who helping us through our history of Philadelphia, I want to appreciate all them that doing everything they can for us. I want to say that, you know, we talk about politics, but I'm a talk about politics and I really want to say something, too. I want to say four more years. Four more years. Four more years. (Applause.)
Every last one of our little young people will be champs. Four more years. here right now, but I want to let him know that he's a 15-round champion of our City. I want to let him know that we're with him 100 percent of our City. Four more years for our Mayor of Philadelphia. I want four more years for our champions for Philadelphia. We speak out because I know what we got to take to be successful in this life. We got to struggle and keep on going. (Applause.)
First let me say all praises due to the Creator. I do want to thank City Council. I'm almost speechless. I'm really hoping that I don't get in trouble. This belt make you think you can fight. I don't want go outside and get hurt. (Laughter.)
But I do want to thank the Martin Luther King Association for even thinking of me of being on the same caliber of the Blackwells, both Blackwells and City Councilmen. I want to give a special thanks to Cyclone who is a member of Local 332. (Applause.)
And I would just like to made, whoever I am or whatever I am, I am that because of Local 332 and because of many of you who I have crossed paths with who have helped shaped me into who I am. I just don't know want to say. I've never been honored in this way. I was just successful in my election and had a victory party last week, and I just want to give thanks to God and all of the members of Local 332. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you very much. Councilman Clarke, did you say a few brief remarks?
I'm going to try to make this quick. My name is Fred Jenkins. I'm with the Department of Recreation. I want to thank Cyclone and City Council for giving us the opportunity to present a boxing belt to all the kids of the Lucien Blackwell Amateur Boxing Tournament, and also a couple of people from City Council that we consider that have been fighting for us for the last 20 years or 10 years or whatever. But we just want to let belt represent we want you to keep fighting for us. I'm not going to take too much of your time. I'm going to make this short and quick. This belt is for a special person that been fighting behind closed doors and coming up with things up in the front that we can present, and this is for Councilman Darrell Clarke. (Applause.)
This belt has a better chance of going over my shoulder than fitting around my us waist. I thank you. But I want to encourage these young people here today. Continue to do the wonderful work you're doing. Continue to be disciplined. You're doing the right thing. I'm proud of you. We're going to continue to work with you. And God bless you all. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you all very much. Again, at this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. And welcome to all the young people. stand adjourned until Thursday, October 2nd at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday October 2, 2003. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, October 2nd. Thank you. (Council adjourned at 11:15 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of September 25, 2003, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING _________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR