And that bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Mr. Decker, we have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring and recognize a Mark Temple for his leadership and lifelong dedication to the children and youth in Philadelphia on this occasion of his retirement after 33 year of service to the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, introduced by Councilman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Dietz and Watson on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary, introduced by Councilman Henon.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
And a resolution honoring the career of John Meyerson, introduced by Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
A resolution recognizing and congratulating the 2014 next generation of leaders Rising Stars, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
And a resolution celebrating and honoring the life and accomplishments of Dr. Maya Angelou, a treasure of American culture. Dr. Angelou was world renowned for her work as an actress, singer, dancer, film director, essayist, inaugural poet and Pulitzer-Prize nominated poet, the author of more than 35 books, a dozen volumes of poetry and countless essays. Dr. Angelou passed away on Wednesday, May 28 at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where she had a lifetime appointment at Wake Forest University. Dr. Angelou is survived by her son Guy B. Johnson along with her two grandchildren and two great grandchildren, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand to offer remarks, and I ask for my colleagues indulgence. Because I adored Maya Angelou. I joined the many across the world who were saddened by the loss of the great American Dr. Maya Angelou. Angelou, a national treasure and one of the great inspirational thought leaders of our time. We know that she possessed an extraordinary gift for the written and spoken word that comes around once in a lifetime. What many of us may not know is she was not actually sexually assaulted by her mother's boyfriend at the age of eight. And after that, for five years, was actually mute, not able to speak a word. And it was only a local woman named Bertha Flowers who spoke with her. And out of that muteness, Dr. Angelou began to devour poems by William Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Henry Wadsworth and many others. She taught us the power of words, how they can heal, hurt, lift up and encourage. She was a member of the Harlem Writers Guild. She helped plan Martin Luther King's Poor People's Campaign in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the first African-American woman to have an original screenplay produced in 1972, titled "Georgia, Georgia." I was remind that she was a phenomenal dancer. She was a Pulitzer Prize nominee, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and famously wrote and delivered the poem, "On the Pulse of the Morning," at the 1993 Inaugural of President Bill Clinton. She most enjoyed being a teacher, professor at Wake Forest University. I am a frequent buyer of her Hallmark cards and regularly include her quotations in my remarks. I have discovered when searching for the perfect thought to summarize my feelings, Maya Angelou has often already crafted a beautifully clever, brilliantly simple way of saying it better than most. Her wise and profound life lessons serve as a roadmap to deal with life's challenges and triumphs. A few of her quotes: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." She also said: "That you only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal, instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well, people can't take their eyes off you." I want to extend my thank you publicly to Pamela Browner White and Pat Moran and the entire Board of Directors of the Marian Anderson Award. As a member of the board, we were smart enough in 2008 to select and honor Dr. Maya Angelou as a Marian Anderson Award Recipient. We know that Dr. Marian Anderson honors critically acclaimed artists who have impacted our society in a positive way either through their work or their support for an important cause. Created in 1998, the award is named for the great Philadelphian and American artist. And Dr. Maya Angelou, in fact, joined the ranks of others who have been saluted by the Board of the Marian Anderson Awards including Oprah Winfrey, Ossie Davis, Sidney Portier, Quincy Jones and so many others. I'm thrilled that Philadelphia, again, was smart enough and we showed our admiration for a woman who is not a moxy woman. I would define her as a renaissance woman, and put our admiration for her on the permanent record. In closing, Dr. Maya Angelou also said, "I want to thank you Lord for life and all that's in it. Thank you for the day, the hour, and the minute." I would ask my colleagues that we would stand and show our acceptance of this resolution with a standing moment of silence. (Standing moment of silence.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. And that is adopted by standing vote.
A resolution honoring and recognizing the Father's Day Rally Committee for promoting positive fatherhood and male development programs for African-Americans across Philadelphia and the nation for 25 years celebrating Father's Day Week from June 8 to the 15, 2014 with a week filled with community events, including the Annual Fatherhood Award Reception, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it, and that resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution authorizing a Special Investigating Committee on Demolition Practices to conduct public hearings to review the execution progress and efficacy of demolition policy reforms enacted as a result of the tragic collapse of buildings at 22nd and Market Streets in Philadelphia, which resulted in catastrophic injury and loss of lives on this day, June 5, one year ago.
Thank you. Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak to this resolution briefly.
Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragedy on Market Street which claimed six lives, injured another fourteen people permanently impacting the lives of the families and people that were injured there. This tragedy shined a light on the unfortunate shortcomings of the Philadelphia Demolition Practices by way of private sector folk. Quickly, you appointed a special investigatory committee that was made up of Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman Kenney, Councilman Henon, Councilman Sanchez and myself. We put together and worked tirelessly over the summer and put together 76 pieces of recommendation ranging from safety plans to safety standards of training for individuals involved in the demolition industry involving OSHA. Not only did we make the recommendations, sir, we put our money where our mouth was by providing $12 million both this fiscal year and next fiscal year to implement those recommendations. We also, to the Mayor's credit, they hired 27 new inspectors to deal with this process. What this resolution does is evaluates how we are progressing in implementing those 76 recommendations so that this tragedy never again gets repeated in our city. And we hope that all of you will unanimously call for the adoption of this resolution.
It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And that resolution is adopted unanimously.
A resolution honoring the life and mourning the death of Matthew Saad Muhammad, boxer and advocate for the homeless, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Councilwoman Blackwell, did you want to be recognized prior to speeches?
Yes. We wanted say that we certainly respected, the late and great Lucien Blackwell knew the Champ Matthew Saad Muhammad, as well. The Council did send something there. The services were today, and all of us signed it. And we just want to say that we were proud to know him. In the recent times, he started getting a little forgetful. And nobody expected this. But we respect the Champ and we want his family to know we will always remember him with love and fondness. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Tasco, did you want to be recognized prior to speeches on behalf of -
Okay. Are there any speeches on the part of the -that officially concludes our Calendar for today. We will now have speeches on the part of the minority. There being none, any speeches on the part of the majority? Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Each of you have on your desk an invitation to the 39th Annual Odunde Festival weekend. Tomorrow night we will have in the Chambers as well as the Caucus Room, we will have a recognition reception. We're always involved in hosting and sponsoring/cosponsoring these events. And we will honor his excellency and her excellency from places like Cote d'Ivoire, or Ivory Coast, Senegal, Grenada, Ghana as well as Nigeria. So, that will happen tomorrow night from six to eight p.m. On Saturday, we always have the African and Caribbean business round table. We will be having it this year at the Enterprise Center. Many of you may not know, but eight of the fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. Commodities from Africa to the ports of Philadelphia exceed $18 billion per year. However, exports from Philadelphia are less than 100 million per year. So this is very, very important business we're dealing with. We will be dealing with that on Saturday. And on Sunday is the day that many of us know. Odunde was created in 1975 by Lois Fernandez and Ruth Arthur. As you know, her daughter Bumi now is President of the Odunde. And we are very pleased to have -her name is really Oshunbumi Fernandez who is president, but we will be with them all weekend. Many of you know, this festival attracts up to 500,000 people annually and is the largest African-American street festival in the country. This festival whose concept originates from the Europe of people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates another year with African-Americans and Africanized people around the world. It takes place on eight to ten blocks at 23rd and South Streets from South Streets to the Schuylkill River where offering of fruit and flowers is made to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river. It's also known for its authentic African marketplace features from vendors around world selling merchandise from many African nations, the Caribbean and Brazil. Again, it takes place covering twelve blocks. It's held the second Sunday each year in June. And we look forward to asking you all to join us in celebrating this 39th Anniversary. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. There appears to be no other speeches on the part of the minority. There is one for the majority. Chair recognizes Councilman Tasco.
First, I'd just like to say that this morning I attended the Commencement at Girard College, which was most inspirational. And Dr. Marc Morial, the Executive Director of the Urban League, was the keynote speaker. I just want to say it was very inspiring to see 39 students graduate -- was graduated from the college. The President, as you know, is Clay Armbrister. He's doing a fine job. Dr. Bernard -- Smalley.
Is the President of the Board. The head of the Board of City Trust Ron Donatucci was there as were other members of the Board who attended and was most inspiring, so that's why I was late today. I just want to recognize -- I recognize the tribute that my Councilwoman colleague gave to Dr. Maya Angelou, but I have some comments I want to make about this wonderful, phenomenal woman who passed away over a week ago. I have a personal -- had a personal relationship with you. But first, here is an excerpt from the poem entitled "Phenomenal Woman: Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model size. But when I start to tell them, they think I'm telling lies. I say it's in the reach of my arms, the span of my hips, the stride of my step, the curl of my lips. I am a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that's me. "Now you understand just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about. I have to talk real loud. When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud. I say, it's in the click of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, the need for my care. Cause I'm a woman. Phenomenally. " The poem Phenomenal Woman was taken from a book of poetry entitled, "And Still I Rise," written by the late Maya Angelou. , an entertainer, a magazine editor, a woman invited by three living Presidents to address the people of this great nation. And she was an adviser to Oprah. Some people are elected to office; yet, she was appointed by people of every race, creed and color, regardless of political affiliation, as a surrogate grandmother. Like that of James Earl Jones, she had a voice that if heard once was never forgotten or mistaken. When she spoke, you couldn't help but stop to listen and be captivated by her grace and wisdom. Maya Angelou stood tall like that of the late President of South Africa Nelson Mandela. And like the Seven Wonders of the World, she was remarkably timeless and classy. She exhibited unparalleled talent as the author of several autobiographies and literary works. Maya Angelou provided hope to the down trodden, encouragement to single mothers and exhibited courage to those who faced overwhelming obstacles. She inspired women of all ages and even men to rise to every occasion and to dare to dream. She was careful in her thoughts and speech, yet truthful and deliberate in her actions. Her writings were written with wisdom, and she made little girls believe they were precious and unique in their own little way. It's been a little over a week since her passing, but I couldn't help but think how much her accomplishments personally and on the main stage have meant to me. She has been for a long time, as I can remember, a constant reminder that your upbringing or your lot in life does not determine your future. So, as a domestic from the south, Greensboro, North Carolina matter of fact, I knew that I wanted more out of life. It was because of determined women like Maya Angelou that I, too, have accomplished much of what I set out to do and be. Some years ago I had the distinct pleasure of serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dr. Angelou was a member of the board, but did not attend meetings due to health reasons. It was a tumultuous time in the school's history, and I got my grey hairs at that time. That was when I stopped playing slingo and learned to email. So Dr. Angelou was aware of what was going on, yet she never interfered. But she was working in the background and was the force that convinced Dr. Johnetta B. Cole to come to Bennett College as President and saved our college. It was on honor to preside at the inauguration alongside Dr. Maya Angelou. During the preinaugural dinner that we had the night before for Dr. Cole, I went over to speak to her and introduced myself in person. We spoke and chatted. And she was there with Mrs. Coretta Scott King. As I departed, she said thank you for the emails.
I turned around and asked, you read them? She said, every last one. Oh, how happy I was. She was not at the meetings, but she was aware of the challenges we faced through my emails, which was my way of communicating with the board members who lived all over the United States. And she took action. Just as she had appeared to me on television and in film, she embodied a similar spirit that said, I know what you're going through, I share in your pain and, honey, I do care. I join with many of my colleagues in celebrating the life of this wonderful soul. And bid all that mourn an inner peace knowing that she leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to impact countless lives for years to come. I will close with words from Maya Angelou herself. " Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. President. Briefly, death does come in threes. It is my sad duty to inform you that Jackie Kelley, the Founder of Discovery Charter School that Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and I share, passed away. And the funeral services and viewing will start at eight to ten on Saturday morning at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. With that I call on Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, 10:00 a.m., June 12. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. Council is adjourned. Thank you all very much. ) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. ) A 50:22 56:18 112:16 aid 25:22 27:10 12:7 able 8:7 14:18 additional 35:17 affairs 25:9,17 aide 23:3 American 19:16 105:18 35:23 36:6 28:16 AIDS 69:10 25:15 52:3 abolish 38:22 37:16 45:9,15 affiliation 120:4 air 16:13 20:8,10 104:9 105:8 41:4 60:8 78:12 affirmative 87:17 20:14 46:9 96:3 107:23 absence 4:22 5:2 100:24 90:20 92:18 airports 47:14,23 America's 8:16 5:9 address 32:20 94:23 Aisha 32:2 40:10 8:18,19 abutting 56:20 33:13,22 34:13 Affordable 39:6,9 Alarmers 37:19 amounts 36:2 academ 25:8 34:20 44:8 71:7,9,13,17,20 aligned 12:12 Anderson 107:14 Academy 13:19 55:17 56:4 71:22,24 72:5,6 alive 11:22 107:16,18 108:2 14:1 57:12 83:23 72:11 73:10,16 Allegheny 7:4 and/or 126:18 accept 76:2 119:22 100:6 allocate 95:24 Angelou 50:14 acceptance addresses 33:3 Africa 24:16 25:3 allow 33:14 37:5 52:2,4,9,14 108:16 34:5 42:8 48:10 25:6,10,15,17 97:3,7 99:12 104:8,9,16,20 access 67:24 48:19 81:21 25:18 26:10,16 alongside 119:19 105:5,8,8,21 accessibility 97:5 adhere 79:23 28:13 29:4 122:10 106:21 107:16 accessible 20:23 adjacent 76:15 115:13,14 116:9 alternate 7:9 107:24 108:11 96:8 adjourn 124:11 120:11 Amen 3:17,18 118:10 119:11 acclaimed 107:18 adjourned 124:14 African 25:13,19 amend 61:22 62:4 120:10,17 accompanying 124:19 125:3,7 25:22 26:3,5,11 62:10,16 63:4 121:16,21 122:3 6:6 14:10 24:17 Administration 26:17 29:8,17 63:10,16 64:8 122:10 123:11 accomplished 45:1 115:8 116:17,19 64:14,20,22 annex 96:10 107:7 121:16 admiration 108:6 Africanized 65:1,7,14 87:20 anniversary 6:19 accomplishments 108:9 116:10 amended 33:6 9:2,21 10:12 16:23 17:23 adopt 37:15 95:1 African-Ameri... 44:1 65:21 44:19 102:3 18:10 52:2 98:8 25:2,4 26:23 67:13 68:7,8 110:18 117:1 104:8 121:6 adopted 81:13 27:6 28:12 88:19 97:21 announce 24:5 accurately 126:6 82:13 83:15 29:17 106:6 98:4 99:4 announced 9:4 achieve 25:20 84:13 85:9 116:6 amending 36:20 annual 8:15 26:21 acknowledge 102:18 103:11 African-Ameri...
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