Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 13, 2020 10:46 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Good morning. We're going to get started, if everyone will take their seat, and if we can hold down your voices. And I also would like to ask if anyone has a device that makes noise, please turn it off or on vibrate or on airport mode. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes our friend, the Reverend Bonnie Camarda of the Salvation Army. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
Let's just take a minute to recognize that God is in the house and we do it for a minute of silence, and then no matter what tradition you sit, some of us are in different traditions of walk with God, Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 it's a God who really want to reign in the City of Philadelphia. Then let us pause for a minute before I pray. (Brief pause.)
The word in the Old Testament say it is because of the Lord's mercy and loving kindness that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning, great and abundant is faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, save my living being; therefore, what I hope in him and work expectantly for him. Father, we just pray in this morning that your loving kindness will consume the City of Philadelphia. Lord, you know the challenges that are in each of our neighborhood, the violence that is reigning. Lord, we just call to just get violence away from our neighborhood, and peace, the peace of God that overpass all understanding will come and reign. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Lord, I pray that every morning we will think that yesterday is gone but today has come, and because today has come, we are going to (unintelligible) visible to take every corner of this city. Lord, we just thank you for every City Councilmember that is here, for everyone who is here in this room. And I just pray, Lord, that you will help us, help the City official to do the work that you have called them to do. Lord, that we'll be agents of peace, agents of change for our city. We thank you, Lord, and we know that your presence will abide for us as long as we recognize that you are Lord of all. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Reverend. We appreciate all what you do and your spiritual guidance today. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. And, again, Reverend, thank you for that spiritual guidance. Thank you. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, February 6th, 2020, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 6th, 2020 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 6th, 2020 stand approved. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentle lady. At this time I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness their government in action. We genuinely appreciate you being here. We hope your stay here today is a knowledgeable one but, more importantly, a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. So, Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 again, thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym, who will present a resolution honoring Mabel "Chi" Chan. Would Ms. Chan and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilwoman Gym, we have Councilman Henon, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, Councilman Domb, Councilwoman Brooks, and Councilman Johnson and Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, Councilman Oh and Councilman Green.
Thank you very much, everybody. If you know Philadelphia and especially if you know --
Councilwoman, hold on a second until we get everyone. Okay. Please proceed, Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Thank you, everybody. Good morning. If you know Philadelphia and especially if you know Philadelphia Chinatown, there's no name more synonymous with a history of Chinese American Philadelphians in this city than Mabel "Chi" Chan. We are honored today to honor Mabel and her lasting legacy and contributions to the City of Philadelphia. Mabel came here many decades ago with a dream and a vision for a vibrant, diverse city. She landed in the City of Liberty, and she definitely made it a place where all people could be here and thrive. Her home, the restaurant that she had helped run for decades on end, was Joy Tsin Lau, and it was often not only a place where there were celebrations of weddings and places of birthday parties and honorees and Lunar New Year celebrations that you can't even Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 imagine, where the food was boundless. And for many immigrant communities who often thought that they had to create home, they found it in Mabel's restaurant at Joy Tsin Lau. It was a place where people could gather, could tell stories, could laugh, could remember and gain enough strength to build for the days beyond. And it wasn't just a place that Mabel had for the Chinese community and the Chinese American community in Philadelphia. It was a bigger gathering place for politics to talk about the future of what the City could look like, integrated with a vibrant immigrant community that was diversifying and growing even within the Asian American community. Mabel comes from Fujian, and for folks who may or may not know, the Fujian community has evolved and grown into one of the fastest growing communities here in Philadelphia and on Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Americans have many different ethnicities and speak many different dialects, but Mabel made sure to embrace all of it. And I'd like to give just so much gratitude, so much personal gratitude, for what she was able to do. The last thing I wanted to share is that Mabel is not only a fantastic business woman, an amazing convener of people, a joyous host and the most generous host in the City of Philadelphia, but she's also an incredible artist. She celebrated Chinese opera. She supported folk arts locally, keeping cultural traditions alive for immigrant communities that aren't able to see it necessarily on big stages. She made sure that she supported organizations across the City that reminded us of our folk traditions. And for so many communities, Asian American and others, but many who feel that their voices may not be reflected in mainstream Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 culture, she reminded us of what it means to have elders who tell us stories that we're not going to always read in every book. She taught us songs that we aren't going to hear on popular radio. She reminded us of mythologies and folk tales that put people who look like her and many others as super heroes with super powers who could overcome the odds. And for that, this community honors and you thanks you from the bottom of our heart and City Council. So with that, we'll start. And so I'm honored to have so many members of City Council supporting this. So this resolution honors Mabel "Chi" Chan and her lasting legacy and contributions to the Philadelphia community. Whereas, Mabel Chan was born in 1957 in Fujian Province, China as the second oldest daughter in a family of seven kids. Ms. Chan's family moved to Hong Kong, where she was able to attend Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 high school on a full scholarship; and
Whereas, Ms. Chan's father immigrated alone to the United States in 1970, in hope of eventually reuniting with the rest of the family. In 1970, after three years of non-stop work and with the support of friends, Ms. Chan's father was able to purchase a take-out restaurant on Lehigh Avenue; and
Whereas, during this time, Ms. Chan had severe appendicitis and was deemed by doctors as unsavable. At the time, Ms. Chan wanted to become a monk after being exposed to Buddhist philosophies. After surviving appendicitis, Ms. Chan decided that she would dedicate her life to doing good deeds; and
Whereas, in 1974, four years after Ms. Chan's father immigrated to the United States, Ms. Chan and her mother reunited with him. The Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 second floor apartment of the take-out restaurant in North Philly that Ms. Chan's father owned; and
Whereas, three years later, Ms. Chan, with the support and blessings from her father, took over the management of her father's restaurant. Ms. Chan worked early mornings and late nights, which allowed her to learn essential management skills for her future; and Whereas, Ms. Chan and her family longed to move to Chinatown, a noticeably underdeveloped neighborhood given its proximity to Center City, where the Chan family could find a community whose members spoke their language of Cantonese. After six years of backbreaking labor, Ms. Chan, her sister, and her father were able to purchase a paper factory warehouse at 1026 Race Street. The Chan family converted the warehouse into a restaurant named Joy Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Lau; and
Whereas, Joy Tsin Lau officially opened on October 25th, 1983, and became a monumental success that influenced business and investment in the Chinatown community. The restaurant is recognized as aiding the Chinatown community to secure its economic footing in Philadelphia. The eatery attracted a host of well-known figures from the Philadelphia community, such as Ed Rendell, Mike Stack, Bob Brady, and Tom Fugliato; and
And whereas, Joy Tsin Lau has always been more than a mere restaurant venue for Ms. Chan. Ms. Chan operated Joy Tsin Lau as a place for community cultivation for individuals who do not have a sense of belonging anywhere else in the City due to language and cultural barriers. This commitment has made Ms. Chan known as a "Second Sister" in the Chinatown community, the big sister who looks out Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 everyone; and Whereas, Joy Tsin Lau has also been a starting point for many revered chefs and restaurant owners who have established anchoring institutions in Chinatown, such as Jade Harbor, Yakitori Boy, K-Top, and Ocean City; and
Whereas, Ms. Chan established a longstanding commitment to her community. For years, the restaurant was a stable source of employment for many students, who worked part-time at the restaurant and were provided housing on the fourth floor of the building. Ms. Chan also donates her restaurant's profit to elderly centers in Chinatown, where she also performs traditional Chinese opera and serves bento boxes to elders. In addition, Ms. Chan began the tradition of an annual Chinatown Independence Day Celebration Banquet and brought the community members together to participate in the parade; and Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
She is definitely a class act. When you think of Judith Bonzelic (ph) in the business community, Joan Krajewski of the Northeast, Marian Tasco of the City, Ms. Chan is that in Chinatown. There's not a conversation where she is not navigating or at the center of or moving forward, and we thank you for that leadership. As a woman, I appreciate the role that you play in your community. Whereas, Mrs. Chan has used her resources and personal fortune to support victims of domestic violence and to connect crime victims to free legal services. In 2008, following a series of violent incidents in South Philadelphia High School, Mabel took the initiative to hold a meeting of community leaders to address the persistent issues of bullying against Asian immigrants; and
And I too want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. I've had the opportunity to Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Mabel Chan several different times at her restaurant in Chinatown. So today is truly an honor and a pleasure. Whereas, Ms. Chan is a trailblazer in her community and became the first female President of the Chinese Benevolent Association, and in 2007 was appointed as the Chairwoman of the Association's Board, which made tremendous contributions of service to the City of Philadelphia; Whereas, Mabel Chan has been credited with uplifting the Chinatown community and has been an integral part of fostering a neighborhood where everyone, regardless of their barriers they face, can thrive.
Mabel Chan's story is that of many Philadelphians, a narrative of people who choose to call this city home and dedicate their lives to improving their neighborhoods through strong communities. Her lasting legacy Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 the history of Philadelphia and that of Chinatown. So now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia honors Mabel "Chi" Chan and her legacy and contributions to the City. Thank you. (Applause.)
I really surprised and I really happy and I really excited and really appreciate it. Thank you, everyone, and thank you all Councilmember for this great honor. I was the first female member to join the Chinese (unintelligible) Association and also the first female person of CBA. I'm proud to stand here today with Councilwoman Helen Gym and our first -- it's our first Asian American Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Councilwoman, Helen Gym. And thank you, Councilwoman Helen Gym again. Sorry. And also thank you, Councilman Mark Squilla of our District Councilman, and thank you all Councilmembers in support of our immigrant community. Thank you so much. Thank you all of you. (Applause.)
May I say in Chinese for our Chinese members? They are here today. Okay? (Ms. Chan speaking in Chinese.)
Thank you all our Councilmembers and everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you, Maria, too and thank you, everyone. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Thank you and, again, congratulations to Ms. Chan. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson, who will present a resolution recognizing South Philadelphia rap group Young Flames. Would Chris Giddens and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Johnson, we have Councilman Thomas, Councilwoman Parker, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, Councilman Jones, and Councilman Green.
In 1998, I Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 mine to gun violence in South Philadelphia, and as opposed to me getting involved in the retaliation that was going to take place as a result of him losing his life, I started my own program to address the issue of gun violence called Peace Not Guns. From that point, I decided to dedicate my life to teaching young people conflict resolution, anger management and, most importantly, anti-street education. The reason why I'm so inspired by this presentation today is because as a city, we're in a state of a crisis. We are in a state of emergency. On any given day when you turn on the television, we bear witness to the senseless acts of gun violence taking the lives of predominantly African American young men. But there is hope. There is joy in my soul, because these young men whom I'm about to present a resolution to are doing the right things for the right Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 reasons, inspiring a sense of hope in our neighborhoods, focusing on putting down the guns. And so with that being said, I want to thank my colleagues for joining me as we honor and salute the Young Flames. Give them a real big round of applause. (Applause.)
Who created an anti-violence song called "Guns Down" that specifically focuses on the very critical issue of gun violence that we're dealing with right now as a city. And they're so inspiring by their efforts, because as a young man, I think I started my program when I was in my 20's, but the good word says out of the mouth of babes. And so for me, we want to continue to encourage these young men, because they represent truly the best that the City of Philadelphia has to offer. And I'd also like to say they come from South Philadelphia. So the P Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 the building. Recognizing South Philadelphia's rap group the Young Flames for their positive theme music, including their anti-violence song "Guns Down."
And whereas, Young Flames began with a group project for music class by four students at Universal Institute Charter School. In the two years since, the group has grown to comprise 10 members: Safee Johnson -- raise your hand when I call your name -- Safee Johnson, Kaiear McGhee, Kaaliq McGhee, Ma'kye McNeil, Jahmill Meadows, Amir Crawford, Jaden Barasky, Bahij Goodwin, Asir Bagwell, and Tyree Reaves. All ten members are residents of South Philadelphia and students at Universal Institute Charter School. The group is managed and mentored by Christopher Giddens; and
Whereas, the group's name was derived from a mixtape entitled Flamers by Philadelphia Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Meek Mill. Like Meek Mill, the group has blended advocacy for social causes with its music; and
Whereas, the group's first performance on October 7, 2019 centered around the theme of anti-bullying. Since then, the group has performed and recorded other music with positive messages, including "Guns Down," which is my favorite. The song was motivated in part because of some of the families of the members have been affected directly by gun violence. The group's lyrics also advocate against substance abuse and for academic success and personal responsibility. On February 4th, 2020 Philadelphia's local ABC affiliate, Channel 6, aired a segment on the group, prominently featuring "Guns Down." They hope to continue to grow their audience and one day be featured on the Ellen Show; and
Whereas, the group's members are also active in their Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 are football with the South Philadelphia Sharks, intramural basketball, and participation in the Alpha Leadership Academy run by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; and Whereas, the passion, focus, and positivity mentioned above are a shining example of the positive potential of Philadelphia's youth. Despite the weighty challenges of this time, Young Flames have used music to spread positive messages in their community, an effort that deserves recognition and praise; now, therefore, be it
Be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that South Philadelphia's rap group Young Flames be recognized for the positivity and themes in their music, including the anti-violence song "Guns Down." Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Flames be evidence of this Council's appreciation and esteem. (Applause.)
We're going to do this a little different, right? Because I've been in these Chambers on plenty of different times, and when shee-shee people come down and people of high status, we clap, we stand up, you know. Now, again, on any given day, right, we'll turn on the news and we'll see African American young men being shot down and murdered by gun violence, right? These young men are in the right place doing the right thing. So I'm going to ask for everyone in the room to please stand and give them a real big round of applause. (Standing ovation.)
Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 you, sir. The Chair recognizes Mr. Giddens for remarks.
"Wow" is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this honor. On behalf of the boys, myself, and the entire Young Flames family, I would like to thank every Councilmember, especially Councilman Johnson who sponsored this resolution and made this happen for us. When one of the boys, Amir, came to me with the idea of "Guns Down," I had no idea the impact we could create with this song. The boys each put their heart and soul into every line that they wrote and delivered a message that our City deeply needs. Gun violence has affected many of us in this room, and for a group of kids to have the courage to stand up Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 me completely blown away every time I think about it. Looking at their faces standing before you today, I'm beyond proud of each and every one of them. Standing up here today, I want to say we need our community to join with us. The nonsense, the violence, the killings all need to end. Our kids need to see that education and being able to talk through their issues are the right answer and not succumbing to the pressures many of them face, joining a gang or carrying a gun to solve their problems. Our youth deserve the opportunity to walk to school or walk to the playground without the fear of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a community, there are more of us who live life as we're supposed to than not, and it's time we take our streets back. If our youth can see this and stand up for this, then there's no Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 adults cannot do the same. I urge everyone to join these boys and the movement they are creating. Our kids need to see all the positives that we can offer, which is why I started this group to begin with. I know this because mentorship is key. I was that kid who needed a mentor. Let's start doing what we need to do, uplifting our youth, providing them avenues to safe spaces where they can have fun and, most importantly, creating a city, a city that all of us can be proud to live in. I thank you again on behalf of the Young Flames and leave by quoting one of the lyrics from their song: It's a marathon that they're running and there's no time for gunning. Thank you. (Applause.)
And last, also my office will be giving an Activity Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 amount of $1,000 to also support our youth in their endeavors and all the things that they're doing as well. (Applause.)
Thank you and congratulations, an inspirational moment for some awesome young men. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages to the Chief Clerk from the Mayor. Mr. Decker, can you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance amending Section 2 of Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 (Bill No. 190450) approved July 17, 2019, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 15-S by placing on the City Plan Alter Street from Seventeenth Street to Eighteenth Street in order to conform more closely with existing conditions," by revising the terms and conditions stated therein and making certain technical changes; and An ordinance authorizing the vacating of Charles Street (also known as Markle Street), between Manayunk Avenue and Dexter Street; and An ordinance amending Subcode F of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Fire Code," to establish limitations on the use of hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications? Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise to welcome the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Omega Chapter to Philadelphia City Council. I'd like to ask all the members who are here representing Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Omega Chapter, who is celebrating their chapter centennial this year, and they're here in support of Resolution 200121, which will name the 1600 to 1700 block of West Jefferson Street as Dr. Oscar J. Cooper Way to honor the life of Oscar James Cooper and his contributions to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the medical community in the City of Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Philadelphia. He was one of the fraternity's four founders and was a charter member of Mu Omega Chapter and served as its first Basileus, or as we know President, from 1920 to 1922. Please give the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, who do have a house in the district of my colleague Councilman Cindy Bass, a hand. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Welcome, and thank you all so much for being here today. We appreciate all the awesome work you do out in the neighborhood, particularly in the Fifth Councilmanic District where the street happens to be named after. Thank you. At this time, our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill on Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 your behalf and one privileged resolution that is authored by all members of Council and supported -- all the women of Council and supported by all of the members of Council.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain portions of land located within an area bounded by Oxford Street, 19th Street, Poplar Street and 27th Street.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Julie Coker for her dedication to the PHLCVB and Philadelphia and wishing her luck on her future endeavors.
This week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill and one privileged resolution offered by myself Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 as an enlightened man and signed by all women of Council.
An ordinance authorizing the vacating of Charles Street (also known as Markle Street), between Manayunk Avenue and Dexter Street.
And a privileged resolution recognizing the 48th anniversary of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and its impact on the growth of women who participated in college sports from 29,972 in 1972 to over 221,000 in 2019.
Today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have two bills, one on your Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 behalf, and one privileged resolution. I would like to speak briefly on one of the bills, please.
An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 190450) approved July 17, 2019, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 15-S by placing on the City Plan Alter Street from Seventeenth Street to Eighteenth Street in order to conform more closely with existing conditions," by revising the terms and conditions stated therein.
And an ordinance amending Subcode F of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Fire Code," to establish limitations on the use of hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
And a non-privileged resolution approving the appointment of Deborah Mahler to the Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yes. Thank you, Council President. On behalf of the Administration, I introduced a bill banning hydrogen fluoride. That was the key ingredient that was used at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery which caused the major explosion that rocked the foundation of South Philadelphia as well as Southwest Philadelphia. The Bankruptcy Court awarded a company by the name of Hilco the opportunity to develop the Philadelphia Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Energy Solutions site in the future, and I'm going to be working with the Chair of the Environmental Committee, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, in the future to hold hearings to, one, make sure that all environmental issues regarding that site are addressed; two, there's a smooth transition with the new owner; and, three and most importantly, the community has a say-so in what the future development of that site and what it looks like and making sure that there's community engagement and also the smooth transition of jobs. And I want to make sure that those individuals who lost their jobs under the Philadelphia Energy Solutions also have a voice in this process as well. Based on the proposal that I received and sitting down with the Hilco Company, in the future this will be an economic boom to the City of Philadelphia, with a projected amount of 10,000 jobs. So I think it's going to be Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 a benefit to our region. I always unfortunately have to remind people regardless of how much development that we see taking place in the City, we're still the number one big city when it comes to poverty, also with people living significantly in deep poverty. So this will be a welcome project to the City of Philadelphia and also the Second Councilmanic District. We want to make sure that the community and the workers and the environmentalists have a seat at the table. So, again, myself and Chairwoman of the Environmental Committee and myself chairing the Public Utility Committee will be hosting hearings in the near future on what that transition will look like. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Thank you, Mr. President. And just a little point of clarification and information. And I totally agree with the Councilman in his statements and look forward to the conversation. The HFL, hydrofluoride, did not cause the explosion. It was negligence and greed of big business who failed to correct the capital investment and improvement that was much needed. And although that chemical is extremely bad and I support banning it and coming up with an alternative if it ever stays online, but it was the neglect of big business and greed that put the profits over capital investment that caused that explosion. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to also Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 just clarify. I remember doing a hearing that I hosted with Blondell Reynolds Brown around this particular issue with the environmentalists, and although this substance may not have been the cause, it definitely contributed to the massive type of explosion that has taken place, and just based upon the testimony of individuals from the building trade, they were pretty comfortable about this ban moving forward. And so I just wanted to state that for the record based upon the recommendations from the Refinery Advisory Group. We want to make sure people are safe, and at the end of the day, those individuals who live in that neighborhood -- I live about -- I live on -- I don't want the TV to see where I live. I live about eight blocks away, and at the end of the day, we want to make sure individuals are safe. And this company that is coming, if they have any additional plans regarding anything Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 energy related, we're going to be paying attention to make sure that they aren't using this substance that can pretty much incinerate our whole city. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Good morning, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Good morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
Good Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Good morning, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions to introduce today, both of which I would like to Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 comment on.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Deborah Greasham, Malik Jones, and Corporal Cheryl Walker as examples of the countless unsung helping hands which lift our African American future up by mentoring and guiding our next generation of African American leaders.
And a privileged resolution calling for the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings to help the city adequately prepare for, avoid, and, if needed, mitigate the effect of emergency room and hospital closures as research has shown disparate impacts on patients that are low income and/or from communities of color in addition to the loss of jobs.
The Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I first want to speak on the first resolution as it relates to honoring people who pave the way for young people as far as our next generation of heroes. I want to acknowledge the students and the staff that's at Imhotep Charter High School that's here with us today. If you can all just stand for a minute so we can acknowledge you. (Applause.)
I want to thank you guys for coming down today and watching your government in action. As it relates to the second resolution, I'm sure that we are all significantly concerned about the hospital closures all across the City, including the one that was recently announced -- the possibility of one that was recently announced yesterday. The purpose of this is, as we Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 face this epidemic of gun violence across the City of Philadelphia and it seems we're discussing and combatting it on a daily basis, we also have to look at the impact as far as closing hospitals, specifically those emergency room and those trauma centers, how that impacts our city as a whole, specifically when we have these increased number of incidents and the likelihood of someone unfortunately not being able to be saved because there's no emergency room near them. So this is a very important issue, and I look forward to the dialogue around this issue so we can figure out how do we better serve the citizens of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Councilman. And that resolution will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Mr. President. I offer one bill.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 359 by relocating the southwesterly houseline of Byberry Road approximately two feet southwestwardly between a point approximately four-hundred one feet northwest of The Roosevelt Boulevard to a point approximately five-hundred fifty feet further northwestwardly therefrom.
Referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
A non-privileged resolution approving the agreement of sale of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the South Delaware Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 10 Wolf Street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the agreement of sale with W/W 2400 Weccacoe Owner VIII and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the agreement of sale.
Thank you. That will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions this week.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I offer no bills or resolutions. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 2ND READING
Thank you, Councilman. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions for today. We have no reports from committee, so our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar today, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 200121, 200126, 200056, 200042-A, and 200008 and 200015. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Before we consider these Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 resolutions and bills that are on our Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you have any interest in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you have not already done so, you can sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we would ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and promptly conclude your remarks. Because of the length and the volume of individuals testifying today, we will ask you to limit your comments to two minutes. So please adjust your testimony to reflect that timeframe. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation. And, Mr. Decker, can you please call the first name on the lis.
Joe Eastman, commenting on 200040 and 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Joe Eastman. I live in South Philadelphia. I'm a taxpayer. I'm also the son of two World War II veterans who actually wore the uniform. In September 1971, I walked up North Broad Street, like many of the veterans in here with me before me, and went into 401 North Broad, raised my right hand, and went on an adventure for 25 years in uniform, both as an enlisted man and a commissioned officer. (Applause.)
Thank you. I only got two minutes, guys. I'm opposed to this bill, but Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 let me say this from the outset. I think, Councilwoman, what you've done is noble, and I think that giving these graduates of this program an opportunity is a good thing. I'm opposed to the process of how this has happened. I think some people in here know me. I'm a fairly well-connected vet and I found out about this kind of happenstance about 12 hours before it went to committee. That's not right. I'm from an era -- as you can tell, I'm old. I'm from an era and some of these, my colleagues, are too where we were spit on, called baby killers, and not welcomed back to the United States, and all we did was what our country asked us to do. I am here to tell you, as long as I have a breath, nobody, nobody will take advantage of a veteran again. And I'm not saying that's happened, but it's a lack of respect for us. We don't come and ask for anything. All we ask for is what we Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 earned, because none of us that wore the uniform got a participation trophy. None of us got something because, oh, we couldn't work hard enough to get it, so we want it. No. We had to go out and earn it every day. Somebody gave us ten preference points somewhere along the line. I think you got the gist of it. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony, sir, and thank you for your service.
Naseem Bey, commenting on 200042-A. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Naseem Bey, as you already heard. I'm here representing One PA and the Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Coalition for Respecting Workers. Now, what I've been thinking is that we should go through with having an independent labor office for the City. I think that because, you know, from what I've been hearing from everybody around me tells me, they don't really make ends meet and then having jobs where you got to deal with discrimination and deal with inequality doesn't really help at all. So the labor office will help keep companies and stores in check and keep them doing what they supposed to.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. (Applause.)
Hi, everyone. Thank you. I'm Maryanne Bellesorte. I am the Vice President of Advocacy at Pathways PA and the National Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Implementation Director at Family Values at Work. I'm here today to ask you all to vote yes on Bill 200042-A, which would create an independent labor office. Five years ago yesterday I stood in this room with all of you as you passed the paid sick days bill for Philadelphia. It was an amazing day. And since then, Council has gone on to pass even more protections for workers, including the fair workweek law and the domestic worker bill of rights. Unfortunately, passing legislation isn't enough in Philadelphia or nationally. In my role with Family Values at Work, I see cities and states struggling to make sure that workers know about the laws and that the laws are enforced. Here in Philadelphia, enforcement and education has gotten a lot better around worker protections, but there's still more to be done. Creating an independent Department of Labor will Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 ensure that the laws that you pass actually work and continue to work beyond this Administration. I urge you all to vote yes on this bill. Thank you.
Mark Edwards, commenting on 200121. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Good morning, Council President Clarke, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, and members of Council. A special thanks for this resolution. And so we're here to speak in support of Resolution No. 200121. My name is Mark Edwards. I'm the elected President, or as we refer to the position Basileus, of Mu Omega Chapter. Mu Omega Chapter is a graduate Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and we are here in support of the naming of the 1600 to 1700 block of West Jefferson Street as Dr. Oscar James Cooper Way in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Oscar James Cooper and his contributions to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, the medical community, and Philadelphia and its citizens. We are joined here today -- I don't know if you can see her -- by Sheila Simpson Lewis, who is the niece, if she will come forward. She is the niece of our Dr. Oscar James Cooper. (Applause.)
In memory of his legacy, Dr. Cooper epitomizes the fraternity's four cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift, and our organization represents membership of several hundreds of thousands of like-minded men inspired to uphold the very principles of Omega Psi Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Phi Fraternity. Dr. Cooper continued his commitment to grow our organization as a charter member, where he served as the first Basileus of Mu Omega Chapter, and today I'm honored to follow his legacy as its 48th Basileus with more than 150 men representing various professions throughout the City and region. In closing, to learn more about our organization, I would encourage you to visit our website at www.muomegaques.com, learn about some of our programming. In particular as we speak today, we have launched our scholarship program. So if you have young people, high school students, in your councilmanic districts, please channel them to our website. We offer four $1,000 scholarships for four years. Thank you very much.
Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Good morning, esteemed Council, family, and friends. When you live your life around what matters most, it gives perspective to what matters at all. The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Second District, the mighty Second District, I am the First District representative, First Vice District representative that encompasses the states of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and of course the great state of Pennsylvania. There's three things you need to know about the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and you all become a member of our family. One, our four founding fathers. Of course Dr. Oscar James Cooper, Dr. Earnest Everett Just, Bishop Edgar Amos Love, and the scientist, Frank Coleman. Number two, which you heard, our four cardinal principles that all Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Omega men stand by - manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. But the most important thing that makes Omega Psi Phi unique above all fraternal organizations is our motto: Friendship is essential for the soul. To family and friends and friends of family, I invite you all to be essential friends of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. On behalf of the 4,000 members of the mighty Second District, we stand in support of Resolution 200121. Thank you.
Mike Daly, Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Mike Daly and I'm the Executive Director for the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. I have a very short letter from Terry Williamson, who is President of the Fund. Dear Council President Clarke and Councilmembers, City Council is poised to place on the ballot an ill-advised measure to give graduates of City technical schools a preference for civil service jobs normally afforded to veterans and the children of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Its supporters argue it would take nothing away from men and women who earned the preference in the service of their country and this city. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 That's not true, because it would. Trade school graduates would help deplete the pool of available jobs for veterans. Other politicians would later be tempted to follow the specific groups of their own. A move like this would just be another step in the nobly inspired to keep a running support for our veterans. Plus I think that an argument can be made that as one support of the measure said, the graduates already leave school with in-demand skills, especially that employers want. Sadly, it's not always the same for veterans who are well qualified so many ways, including men and women who return from service, but sometimes don't have the skills local employers want. As a Vietnam veteran, I've seen the short-tripped my fellow veterans got when they returned home from Vietnam. I was beginning to think this was in the Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 past, but now I'm not so sure. I would urge strongly Council to consider your support -- reconsider your support for this bill. Thank you, everyone.
Hold on. Mr. Decker, hold on one second. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. For the record, I just wanted to ensure that all the members and stakeholders here today know that Resolution No. 200040 and Bill No. 200006 are being held per my remarks at the Committee on the Law and Government hearing which was held on February 5th. We are having a Committee on Labor and Civil Service next week to address any further concerns relative to those two pieces of legislation. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Thank you very, very much. And also amendments have been circulated prior to the hearing amongst all of my colleagues. They're on your desk and also they've been circulated via e-mail. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, call the next name.
Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Julia Kristan. I'm a registered nurse at Einstein Hospital in the emergency department. I also serve on the executive board of Einstein Nurses United, which is our PASNAP local. PASNAP nurses stand behind this important resolution that Isaiah Thomas and others are presenting to study and mitigate the effects of hospital and emergency room closures. What hospitals like Einstein, Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Hahnemann, and Mercy have provided is a front-line healthcare to patient populations that are predominantly lower income and predominantly people of color. It does not go without notice that on the tail of Hahnemann's closure, we find ourselves grappling with the potential closure of Mercy Hospital in the heart of West Philadelphia. What we see time and time again in our city are the echoes of the very imperfect foundation of our nation. In the midst of Black History Month especially, we will be remiss to think that we have escaped our past and during legacies of redlining have left Philadelphia one of the nation's most segregated cities and one of the poorest. Hospital closures have profound effects not only in the communities they serve but on the larger health service system. Nothing occurs in a vacuum, and the closure of one hospital means increased volumes, wait times, and Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 frustrations at the other overburdened ERs and primary care systems. Patients find themselves having to look for entire new networks. From the logistics of finding an ER that used to be in their backyard to shifting their medical records from a lifetime of care, we can only imagine the stress and upheaval they face. Something is wrong with our healthcare in this country when patients and healthcare workers are constantly fighting for care and resources they need. How is our system so imbalanced that disparities across class lines persist along lines of color? What incentives are we providing when pharmaceutical and insurance companies see windfall profits while patients struggle for equitable access to appropriate care? How will she be judged by society when executives and developers hold more power than our own people in determining healthcare access? Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 As a nurse, I am called to advocate for my patients. Today I'm called and I am dreaming of a society where all my patients can live in a city where their access to healthcare is determined not by the color of their skin.
Hello. My name is Jarrett Smith and I serve as the Government Relations representative with SEIU Healthcare for Pennsylvania representing more than 45,000 healthcare workers across the state in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care. In a city that boasts its eds Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 and meds, the elimination of Mercy Hospital's inpatient services is a kick in the teeth after the closure of Hahnemann last year. Once again, a facility that provides essential care to black and brown communities and employs hundreds of workers has fallen prey to priorities of free market medicine, which prioritizes the wealth of the few over the health of the rest of us. Philadelphians must now realize that these closures are not isolated or one-off events, but are part of larger trends in a healthcare industry that increasingly places profits over patients and where area hospitals, doctors, and specialists are being cannibalized by large integrated delivery networks and multi-state health systems. I applaud Councilmember Thomas for his call to create a working group and analyze the effects of closures that can proactively examine the healthcare crisis facing our city. Working people Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 are tired of shouldering the pain while elected leaders and wealthy CEOs fail year after year to respond to harmful consolidation trends that we have protested for years. It is time for you to act and to invest in healthcare in a way that makes us healthy. We need to bring together voices of patients from low-income communities and communities of color, as well as their caregivers, to demand that the system, largely funded by our taxpayer dollars and insurance premiums, meet our needs. We will only have a truly just healthcare system when the voices of consumers and caregivers carry more power than the interests of executives. Thank you. (Applause.)
Joe Danihel. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting February 13, 2020
Good afternoon. This is an official decree of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. Every week, Council, Mayor, Governor, and others transfer private property to the government, probably unlawfully. Last week, did multiple oath-bound officials testify that they have failed to perform their known duty or task? Did they confess to failure to secure the people's houses, persons, and effects? Was the Sheriff decreed to arrest most officials last year? Did the Sheriff's failure to perform their known duty or task would have brought significant change? If you do not want to follow your oath to God, why do you run for office and why aren't you in jail? Can a Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 RICO-style conspiracy to deny rights exist without accessory-after-the-fact help from the Sheriff? The constitutions require immediate remedy of this breach of law, breach of close, breach of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987; 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384; PA Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 through 28; and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call on the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, 1038 West Wyoming Avenue. The denial of my God-given 42 USC 1982 property rights for 26 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. Public servants cannot refuse their sworn duty to act any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. I remind Council, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow all of this monumental corruption each and every week.
Larry Holman, commenting on 200006 and 200040. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Larry Holman. I want to say good morning to President Clarke and members of City Council, my fellow veterans, and everybody else in the room. Also I want Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 to give a shout-out to my Councilman, Bobby Henon. Good morning, sir. I'm a Vietnam veteran and a military retiree of the U.S. Navy. I've lived in Northeast Philly since I retired from the Navy in 1982. When I learned of the bill that erodes the hiring preferences currently available to veterans and children of first responders, I wondered why Philadelphia has a Veterans Advisory Commission and why it has a Director of Veterans Affairs. I wondered if advising counsel was sought from these resources prior to moving forward with such an incentive measure which constitutes a slap in the face of veterans. Veterans are among a very small percentage of citizens who have stepped forward and offered their lives when their country needed them. Those who are fortunate enough to survive their training and deployments return to make a transition to civilian life. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 The reason veterans are given preference, which does not guarantee them a job, by the way, is because they have been away from the job market serving their nation. Thus they have not had an opportunity to pursue education or technical training to prepare them for employment, nor have they had an opportunity to acquire on-the-job experience in the field they may be seeking to enter. Therefore, please do not diminish the service of veterans to our nation by diluting the value of the employment preference for those veterans. People often thank me for my service, and I often respond, you are worth it. I mean it when I say that. Every citizen is worth my service to them and the nation. So please take appropriate action to restore my confidence in your sincerity when you thank me for my service. And in your future deliberations on this, some of the Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 questions that should be issued or addressed -- thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you so much for your testimony, and thank you for your service.
Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I'm here as an advocate for veterans. My official name is -
I was just saying state your name for the record.
Anthony Waskie, but most of my friends know me by my nickname Andy Waskie. I am a resident and citizen of Philadelphia, a voter, and Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 a taxpayer, and I'm also representing Benjamin Franklin Post 405 of the American Legion at the Union League, which I serve as an officer, Vice Commander, and also the Armed Services Council of the Union League and, therefore, through that work with those groups, we work assiduously for veterans who deserve our support and our commemoration. So I'm in favor of a section of the populus of our citizens who served and sacrificed, sometimes receiving illness and wounds and maiming and took orders and did them to the best of their ability, returned home, and did it all for love of country and their duty. I am against eliminating, diminishing or eliminating or diminution of any of the preference that would be given to the hiring process, so that they should because of their service, because of their time, because of their loyalty, because of their dedication, they have Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 certainly earned that preference. And so I came here today, and I haven't been here very often. I'm a historian. I know some of you here because we work with like Lincoln Day at the Union League, O.V. Catto Day, which is coming up on the 22nd, and all of those were great veterans and deserve our recognition as well. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony, sir, and thank you for your service. (Applause.)
Welcome to the house that veterans built. We built this building. My name is Joe Griffies. I'm Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 the host of the Welcome Home Veterans radio show. Most of you have been on my show. I'm a big supporter, born and raised in Philadelphia. I want to recommend -Councilman Clarke, I have a lot of respect for you, an Edison grad.
-- (continue) that we do not initiate a bill until we sit first with our Council that was put there in the first place. And I am challenging the 17 Councilmembers, of which 16 are not veterans, did not serve their country, to visit the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, 36th and Woodland. Walk in the corridor and see the wheeling chairs, the crutches, the walkers, the canes. Go to the second floor and see the prosthetic department. Next to the prosthetic department is the blind department. We have 485 blind veterans. And then go to the seventh Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 floor, the mental health floor, where hundreds of veterans are there to see a psychiatrist, their psychologist, their counsel worker, their caseworker. They're not there because they want to be there. Most of them are there because they want to be around tomorrow. Why do we ask so few to do so much and in return get so little? In my closing, I -- and there's a gentleman over there laughing. You think it's funny? I guarantee he's not a veteran. In my closing, I'll give you 648 reasons why this bill should not pass. They're the names of the teenagers that went to Vietnam from Dock Street. We're putting a memorial March 29th. We're building a memorial, and I guarantee -- and most of you's don't know this -- that ten veterans died in Vietnam and haven't come home yet. And on the 29th of March, your school, your alma mater, Councilman Clarke, we are cutting Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 the ribbon for the 66 condos that the veterans built to take the veterans off the street of Philadelphia, and our street is loaded with veterans. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony and thank you for your service. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. MR. McKENNA: Good morning, Mr. President, members of Council. My name is Patrick McKenna. I was born in Fishtown. I was raised in East Kensington. I raised my family in Southwest Philadelphia in a home that I still own and pay taxes on. I presently live in Darby Borough, and I'm a member and elected of the Council of Darby Borough. As a combat Marine -- a Marine Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 combat -- a combat Marine of the Vietnam War, I strongly oppose Council Bill 200006 and Resolution 200040. This is basically, I see it, that I don't feel that any one student should be discriminated against by not getting -by getting points because they went to a special school. I don't think -- or a certain school. I don't think that students or applicants for employment for civil service jobs within the City should be discriminated against because of the school they went to, the neighborhood they grew up in, the religion they profess or the color of their skin. I think everybody should be equally treated. And I also appreciate the fact that in this country, veterans get preference for civil service jobs because of the service they have rendered to their country and their fellow citizens and the world. As a member of the Council, I Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 sit on a panel that interviews applicants for the Public Works and Police Department. I think they're valuable -I think of veterans as valuable assets to these teams, because I know that veterans know how to recognize and obey authority, follow rules, wear a uniform, and respect their neighbors and their co-workers. And I also know that they have worked with people of different cultures within the military, and they do it wisely. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your remarks, sir. Thank you for your service. (Applause.)
I am a veteran, as you know, but in addition, I am a Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 retired teacher from the Philadelphia School District. The school that I taught at had the highest number of CTE shops in the district. So when I first seen this resolution, I was a little bit torn, because we tell our students to not only work hard to get your academics together, but you can also learn a trade and be self-sufficient and it can lead you down the road of independence, financial independence. So I was torn, because I love my kids and I wanted the best for them, but when I thought about this and I thought about how it was being presented so quickly and with so much lack of information, I was disturbed. It was disturbing to see that this resolution, loosely as it's written, can open doors, open the floodgates to further lobbying to this esteemed body or other groups to receive preferential treatment that was created by law for veterans. And this will erode this preferential treatment. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 I am one who benefited from that when I got out the service in 1974 and I took the apprenticeship test down the Navy Yard and I was accepted, and those points helped me get a good job. And it's the same place where my father could not get a job at the Navy Yard, and he served in World War II and brought his family up from the South and could not get a job in the Navy Yard because of discrimination. I was able to get that, and if it wasn't for this preferential treatment, it wouldn't have happened. So this is not something we take lightly. Just to bring up a group -- and I have a lot of respect for CTE. Just to bring up a group, it can happen in the future where more and more and more until it's eroded and it's to the point of being useless and unacceptable for veterans. Thank you very much for your time.
Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 Thank you, Darryl. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your service. (Applause.)
Robert Reilly. And I am opposing 200006, Resolution 200040. And I'm just going to paraphrase someone that's been in the news a lot lately. It doesn't mean I support him, but once in a while, I hear something, I remember it and I wait until it fits, and that shoe fits right now, and that's this: Come on, man. Seriously? Now, where do you think I got that? I got a better haircut than he has, right? Every veteran in here, please Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 stand up. If you can't, I want to help you up. (Some audience members standing.) (Applause.)
Okay. Now, I took the same oath we all took, and that oath -- you took it at 401 North Broad. It had no expiration date. None.
No expiration date. So they're still actively supporting and protecting every single one of you. Every single one of them will take the first bullet. You can't feel safe with a million three active duty, of 360 million, but you actually have 15 to 20 million security forces, and they're right here. So I'm going to give them something, and you all should do it too, and it goes like this. I don't need the microphone for this. Stated Meeting February 13, 2020 (Mr. Reilly saluting.)
At ease. Be seated. I want to tell you something. June the 1st, 1968 -- time is up? Okay. Somebody else will give me their time. Are you allowed to do that? I watch CNN all the time. Councilman Clarke, may I submit that I have two minutes from a hero? His brother died in Vietnam, the first one, and the others in '64. November 6th, 1965. Sixty-three months later, the last one died, January 17th, 1971.