Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes.
The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill. I believe you want to ask for a leave of absence for Councilman Longstreth.
Madam President, a leave of absence is requested for Councilman Longstreth. Thank you.
Thank you. This concludes the calendar for today. SPEECHES Are there speeches on the part of the minority?
Point of order. I would like to report out no bills or resolutions today.
Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? Are there any speeches on the part majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I will be brief. One of our colleagues has done a number of things over the past few days for which I think some amount of recognition is appropriate. First, we had, as you indicated this morning, the traditional recognition of St. Patrick's Day and Councilman Kenney organized to have the dancers here. We always appreciate having the dancers and I do want to report, Madam President, that in a recent review of the Riverdance tape, I believe that I saw in the background Councilman Kenney as an understudy and so we're anticipating next year that he will be SPEECHES performing. (Laughter.)
On a more serious note, again with regard to the Councilman, I think this is the second year in a row that THIS Legislature's Weekend has been organized that brings a variety of State Representatives and State Senators from all around the Commonwealth to Philadelphia primarily I think geared around the Flower Show. What started off with, I believe, about 17 participants last year exploded to about 82 I think it was reported in the paper. This is a great effort to bring people around the Commonwealth to Philadelphia. They can enjoy the many pleasures and wonders of the City, also see how some of their votes go into action in terms of projects that are here in the City. But I think that Councilman Kenney, along with State Representative Keller and State Representative John Taylor are due a great applause for this ongoing effort to bring the City and the Commonwealth, the State Legislature and this City electorate closer together to show that there are a lot of great things going on in Philadelphia. And I think that some fruit will come to bear from SPEECHES that. His staff is also to be recognized. And I know Debbie Mahler spent a great deal of time working on this and also trying to, I'm sure, keep the Councilman calm during what I'm sure was a hectic weekend. Lastly, we also have the great flower display. And if the Councilman did use any of his campaign finance funds, I would only hope that there would appropriate report and that it meets the high standards for what campaign funds can be used for. I do share mine with the press corp so that they might be able to see the fruits of what campaign dollars can do. (Laughter.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I thank Councilman Nutter for his kind words, but I have a surprise for everyone. In addition to our Legislative Weekend which is an attempt to bring, as was said, legislators from around the State to get a better idea of what we're SPEECHES all about here in Philadelphia, we're going to take a road trip in January, and I hope everybody's ready, because we're going to invite Councilmembers, their families, some business leaders, their families, we're going to put on our jeans and our boots and we're going to the Farm Show. I think it might be good opportunity for us to go up there and see what it is some of the rural people are interested in and some of the activities that they hold dear. I know my son plays ice hockey, but I also know that there's kids from rural areas that raise price pigs, so it's a big state with a lot of different interests and hopefully Councilmembers will be find time to go up there in January to experience a little rural Pennsylvania fun. So thank you for your kind words and have a happy St. Patrick's Day.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. The Council stands adjourned until SPEECHES Thursday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m.
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday March 22 2001, at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion is carries. Thank you. (Council adjourned at 10:55 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 March 15, 2001, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public