And they took him on Mother's Day. So my Mother's Day would never be the same because I'm still waiting for my son to walk up the street and give me my hug. And they took, you know, so -- UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank y'all.
Hi, everybody. I am going to try hard as I can to hold back the tears. Number one, I want to thank Council President for making sure this resolution was here. I want to thank Councilwoman Bass because when he was living, we celebrated him. And I especially want to thank my partner in crime Councilwoman Brooks because we knew that baby. I did some publishing for Qua. And I'm going to tell you a story really quickly about him. He was more than a rapper. Our child, because he was our baby, showed up at colleges and talked about the violence in the streets. He talked to children, high school kids in Chester, Pennsylvania. He stood out and gave one of his first endorsement check. Instead of spending that money, he gave it to his school and elementary school, Edward T. Steel School, $10,000, and he brought 300 Puma sneakers to those children. I pulled up on the Avenue and I'm like, why are you out here on the street? Oh, we got to give water ice to all the kids out here, Nick. That's who Qidere was. He was more than a young man. He was a brilliant lyricist, but he was an advocate. He was a community leader. He wanted to pull Philly up. I told him sometimes, you got to pull Philly up on your own first and then you can do it. But the very streets he loved took him down and my heart is broken. We have to do more. We have buried at least 40 kids in the last 10 years. I'm tired. So the accountability belongs to all of us, right. I have mercy -- I pray for mercy on those kids that got out of that car and took that young man's life, because their life is -- if they don't understand what life is, they're about to understand. We have to do more. It is not just the job of City Council. It is not just the job of our State Representatives. It is the job of everybody sitting in this place. Because when it's one person's problem, it's everybody's issue. (Applause.)
We're running demons in the street. These kids need light, more than Instagram posts, more than RIP. There has to be action. I am hurt. I would get up early in the morning with Qidere and he would say, Nick, what's good in the hood, what we doing today. We had interviews that he sat down and talked about what he needed and what he wanted to do. And everything in his mouth was selflessness. He wanted to make sure that he ran and got everybody up. We can't save everybody. But what we can do is make sure that Qidere's memory and his children, Philly will never forget him. We got to stop coming together like this. This is painful. This hurts. This hurts me because the neighborhoods that I grew up in I still live in. I said, I'm not leaving. Why? Because my accountability belongs to Philadelphia. It belongs to Nicetown. It belongs to Tioga. We got to stop playing, y'all. He died with a shotgun in his chest. He died in a hospital that has one of the most gunshot victims in the city. I'm tired of these bodies. Thank you, Council President, for always leading this charge for our babies. Help me. Help us. Continue to help us. (Applause.)
Thank you. And to Mr. Tamara Davis and Nikki Bagby, and I think I could take a personal privilege to talk about in the near future, it's in Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young's -- do you want to talk about it, Mr. Young, your next steps in terms of honoring the life and legacy of LGP Qua, Mr. Qidere Davis?
Thank you, Mr. President. We will be coming to that community to talk to members around there to honor his life by renaming the street after him. So just know that that's something that's coming in the future. (Applause.)
And that will be in partnership with your colleague Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Absolutely, with Councilmember Brooks leading the charge on this. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Would the Chief Clerk please call the next person. Let's give the mom another round of applause, y'all. Let's lift her up. Show her some support. (Applause.)
One thing I know more than anything else, and what makes this particular issue very, very painful is because this was a young man in strong character. And for me to know him was to love him, just based upon how he gave up himself to really inspire these young people. And so, if any of you out here who do not know who he is and kind of wondering why we're taking this moment to honor and uplift this family, just go online and look up his videos and you'll see him speaking day-in and day-out with positive messages around trying to uplift his generation of young people. Chief Clerk, please resume.
I apologize if I'm repeating any names of people who spoke. Keisha Washington, Pastor Carl Day, Cynthia Johnson. May Shana Williams, Nikki Bagby, Jeremy Blatstein and Noam Osband also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. Last Thursday our city suffered another tragic and preventable loss. Jeffrey Ishibashi, a 50-year-old cyclist was riding his bike on Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia when he was struck and killed by a construction truck. He was riding in the painted bike lane without any physical protection when the truck turned across his path. This was not just an accident. It was the result of a city that continues to treat painted lines as protection. They're not. Protected bike lanes, those with physical barriers, dramatically reduce crashes and save lives. Jeffrey's death is a reminder that every day we delay building protected bike infrastructure we put more lives at risk. Philadelphia must act now, not after another obituary. And just days later, we lost another Philadelphia to preventable violence. Qidere Johnson, known as LGP Qua, was a powerful community advocate and rapper who called himself the Voice of the Youth. He was shot and killed during a robbery attempt. LGB Qua dedicated his life to uplifting others, speaking out against gun violence and promoting positivity in Philadelphia. Now, his voice is gone, silenced by the very violence he opposed. He is one of the 3000 people who have been killed over the last seven years. It's time for change now. No more of the status quo. Whether on a bike or on a block, no one should fear for their life simply moving through their neighborhood. We must invest in safety, in infrastructure, in violence prevention and in the people who are trying to make Philadelphia better. We owe that to Jeffrey, we owe that to Qidere and we owe that to every person who still believes that this city can change. And the last thing I'll say is raise your hand, because we're talking about SEPTA, raise your hand if you rode SEPTA in the last week. We got some great hand raises from the audience. SEPTA is so important, right. We need to make sure that SEPTA is funded. Call your Congress person, call your Senator because he make sure you know how important SEPTA is. Ride the ride. Thank you. (Applause.)
Ny name is Noam Osband. I'm here to talk about the bills that Councilwoman Gauthier introduced about the protected bike lane on 47th Street. I've never given comment before. This is my first time, but I'll tell you why I'm here. This is a picture of my two kids. This is Dahlia and this is Zeb. Although Zeb insists sometimes as being called Saquon Barkley, because he's a good kid and he's a Philadelphia kid. And they're eating ice cream outside of the Kingsessing ice cream store, which is on 47th Street because that's right next to their school. I bike them to school every day, unless it's raining cats and dogs. I feel safe biking them home because I go up 48th Street where there's a protected bike lane. I do not feel safe when I bike them to school. There is no good north, south bike lane that can get them to school. I have been hit almost a couple times. There was one time I remember specifically where I thought like is this going to be it as this pickup truck is zooming ahead of me to try to get a little bit ahead, and that was absolutely terrifying. In some ways what seems almost sadder than the fact that -or more depressing that there's no safe way for me to do it is I picture what they're going to be like when they're older and they're teenagers and I want them to learn to ride bikes. And then I think to myself how am I going to have them ride bikes in this city and in West Philly where I'm raising my family, when there's no real safe way to do that. And that's really terrifying to me, as somebody who really loves this city and somebody who is really happy to be raising their kids in this city. As the person before me talked about, last week there was a cyclist who was killed in West Philadelphia. They were in a bike lane, but it was an unprotected bike lane. And I'd be lying if I didn't say I think to myself sometimes when I'm on the bike every day as I am with my kids, like, is that going to happen to me. Because there are so many places in the city where stuff almost happens. And I'm asking you guys to try to make it safer for Dolly and little Saquon. And I really want to thank our Councilwoman who's been really thoughtful and a real leader about making cycling safer in the city, and take it home for them. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
May we also have Sade Nichols, Maxwell Saul, Jordan Teicher, Chris Aho and Ebony McCoy also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon or good morning, everyone. My name is Shana Williams. I am the Director of Operations at the Attic Youth Center. Those who are not familiar we are the only free-standing LGBTQ youth center in this region, have been around for more than 30 years. I'm here to speak on the domestic violence, LGBTQ domestic violence. And just want to say that the Attic has done tremendous work in addressing what many of our youth experience in terms of domestic violence, and in particularly intimate partner violence. I think it is important that we not only recognize the impact of violence amongst LGBTQ youth in general, but also what I'd like to say is the lack of response or underresponding when folks seek support. It is imperative that we recognize that our youth, particularly LGBTQ youth, already face so many more variables and barriers in terms of what they need to do to survive, particularly when they are ostracized from family and support. So I am here just to support the initiative and just to affirm that our youth, our LGBTQ youth particularly, including Black and Brown LGBTQ youth, need the support. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Cynthia Johnson, and I am the founder of Give Me My Roses, the nonprofit. First, I would like to start off with everybody please standing to give Qua his recognition please. Let's all stand, clap and give Qua his recognition for positivity because this is what my nonprofit is about, positivity, giving us our roses while we're here. (Applause.)
I am here today -- thank you so much. Thank you. I know it took y'all a lot to get out your seats, but thank you. I am here today because we opened up a Hope Museum. This Hope Museum is down at 1806 South Broad Street, and we came up with this idea in November. It is now starting to get some recognition. So what we did, we wanted to honor Qua a week before his passing. We did hit him in the DM to come to be a spotlight feature at the Hope Museum. Let me tell you what the Hope Museum is about. It's a place where the youth can come to. It's a happy place. It's a place where they chant, clap for each other. We pray. It's not necessary, but we pray there. We give roses to each other verbally. They all tell their meaning on the red carpet of hope, and that is so important because of everything that's going on out here in the world today. These kids need hope. And this is why we opened this Hope Museum. We also acknowledge adults to come. If you have an inspiring story, to come to speak to these children here at the Hope Museum. We did an exhibit on Qua. We have a whole wall at the Hope Museum, an exhibit on Qua. We recognized JoJo and the Broom Man that was with Gillie and the Eagles just a couple weeks ago with the help of Mr. Philadelphia here in the audience. We recognized those two gentlemen, and that recognition Gillie the Kid reached out and honored me, the founder the Hope Museum with this (inaudible). And I was so proud of this, because again we're getting some recognition. So what I would like to do -- oh, one more thing. Also, the noggin boss, which is the big hat you all see Gillie wear. They are donating one of their hats to Qua -- all right. Okay. So with that said, the Hope Museum is here. If you would like to speak, givememyroses is the website. Thank you so very much. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) COUNCILWOMAN GILMORE RICHARDSON: Sir, Council is at ease. I'll let you know when it's your time to continue. Thank you very much. Sir, please proceed.
Thank you. My name is Max Saul. I live at 48th and Warrington in West Philadelphia. Not nearly enough streets in Philadelphia are safe and comfortable for pedestrians, bikers, wheelchair users, parents with strollers and everybody else traveling outside and even inside of a car. Councilmember Gauthier, your leadership on road safety and biker and pedestrian improvements specifically, has been incredible. The recent changes on West Chestnut and Walnut Streets and 48th Street are groundbreaking examples for the city, beyond what I expected was possible when I moved to Philadelphia. So many of my neighbors have mentioned how much better their experience at 48th Street has been since the redesign. I never biked on 48th Street before, but now with the parking protected bike lane, I have an enjoyable start to all of my bike trips. However, there remains no safe option for traveling back home going southbound. So please advance Bills 250266 and 250267 to improve safety for all users on 47th Street. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Jordan Teicher. I live on Larchwood Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in West Philly. Here to speak in favor of Bills 250266 and '267 to create a protected bike lane on 47th Street. Quick story to explain why. A few weeks ago I had to take my 17-month-old son Ezra from my home to a morning pediatrician appointment at CHOP Karabots, and then take him directly to day care at 42nd and Spruce. I need to do this quickly so I could get back to work as soon as possible. To make this journey, I could either drive, walk, bike or take public transit. The fastest option would be to drive. That's five minutes to the doctor and five minutes at day care. But I'm mindful of my environmental footprint and it seemed wasteful to drive such a short distance. The second fastest option, by a little bit, is biking. So that's what we did. I got my son in his seat, which is attached to my bike, and we rode over to CHOP, mostly using the protected bike lane on 48th Street. It was fast and safe. But coming back south from CHOP was dicey because there's no protected bike lane going south. We used protected bike lanes going east, but there were parts of the journey that were just unsafe. Philadelphians deserve transportation options that are convenient, sustainable and safe. We shouldn't have to choose one priority over another. That's why I strongly support making 47th Street safe for cyclists and everyone else who uses the road. I want to thank Councilmember Gauthier for her leadership on this issue and thank you for the opportunity to speak. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Chris Aho. And I'm here today to support Bills 250266 and '267, legislation that removes one driving lane from South 47th Street and replaces it with a separated bike lane. I live on a cul-de-sac, which can only be accessed by 47th Street. And this project will have a significant positive impact on my life. The new configuration of the street will reduce dangerous speeding, improve crossing distances for pedestrians and create a new high-quality bike lane that will be safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities to use. 47th Street is part of the city's High Injury Network, and it is essential that these safety upgrades be implemented soon. In July of last year, my neighbor Lily Natte was struck while trying to cross 47th Street. The driver of that car had run a red light. And Lily died two weeks later. In the future I would like to see these safety upgrades and bike lane upgrades extended along all of South 47th Street up to the Grays Ferry Bridge. This would create new bicycling access and help calm traffic in front of the Children's Community School, Johnson's Playground and numerous homes and businesses. It would also improve the connection with the multi-use path on the Grays Ferry Bridge, which ties in with the Schuylkill River Trail which is about to grow thanks to the new bridge. I want to thank City Council for hearing my testimony and I especially want to thank Councilmember Gauthier and her staff who have tirelessly engaged with the community about this project during the past two years. Thank you. ) MS. McCOY: Good morning, Councilmembers, colleagues and members of the community. My name is Ebony McCoy. Today I stand not just as an advocate for Lupus Awareness, but as a living, breathing testimony of God's grace and resilience. I was diagnosed with SLE, systemic Lupus erythematosus, in November of 2017. It is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks his own tissues and organs. At the time, I didn't fully understand the weight of what that meant. Since then I've battled flare-ups, fatigue, joint pain and days were getting out the bed felt like climbing a mountain with no end in sight. But through it all I've continued to show up. I show up as a wife, a mother, as a public servant and as a warrior pressing through with a smile. And above all, I show up as a daughter of the Most High God sustained by His grace and clothed in his strength. Lupus is an invisible and unpredictable disease. I can look perfectly fine on the outside while crying out in pain on the inside, but I give all glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has kept me thus far and carried me through the storm and continues to equip me daily. There's a quote that resonates deeply with me, "She wore her scars as her best attire, a stunning dress made of hell fire. Because behind every scar, there is survival. " I want to give a heartfelt thank you to my Minority Leader Kendra Brooks and the whole Team Brooks squad. Thank you for leading with compassion, for championing this resolution and consistently showing care not just for our physical but for our emotional, mental and spiritual health. And I want to give a shout-out to the Lupus Foundation of America for everything that they do within that organization. And to my husband and children, my family and friends, thank you for holding me up, praying for me, loving me through the highs and the lows. Your support has been my anchor.
If you know someone battling Lupus or any chronic illness, send some extra love to them today, because we may not always complain but this battle takes its toll. And although we may have shortcomings, God has called us victor, not victim, and we are worthy to walk in that promise every single day. So I leave you with this scripture, 2nd Corinthians 12 Verse 9, But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, For my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boost all the more clearly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. Thank you. )
We have Virginia Hogman. Kate Perez, Lynn Landes, Paul Birdsong and David Alexander Jenkins, make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
I'm Lynn Hogman, a resident of the 4700 block of Windsor Avenue speaking in opposition to Bills 250266, and 250267. I want to call the City Council's attention critical relevant information concerning 47th Street, the street these bills seek to radically alter. These bills have been presented the choice of 47th Street for a bike lane as opposed to other suitable streets that could provide southbound or northbound bike lane, as been presented as a safety issue, that there is a safety problem with 47th Street. That is simply not true. 47th Street is not a street that PennDOT has found dangerous. I have brought with me and given to the Sergeant-at-Arms for distribution to City Council copies of the pages of the State Safety Assessment that list all the streets in Philadelphia that the state has found dangerous. 47th Street is not anywhere on that list. While OTIS has classified 47th Street, among many, many streets in this city as High Injury Network, examination of OTIS's own map shows that this is based on a total of three accidents, none of which was in the area south of Baltimore Avenue and north of Kingsessing and none of which involved bicycles. Indeed they show substantially more accidents on Kingsessing, which OTIS does not classify as high injury or seek to disrupt. In addition, OTIS's classification was based on data before installation of speed bumps on 47th Street, and there's no evidence that there is a safety issue that is not remedied by the speed bumps. Moreover, OTIS has now disclosed that it intends to remove 20 to 40 parking spaces in the area of Windsor and Springfield because of peculiarities about that intersection that make it uniquely unsuitable for reducing lanes and installing a protected bike lane. That sort of destruction of parking would not have to happen had another more suitable street been selected for the bike line. This major reduction in parking creates its own safety issues by forcing residents to park blocks away from their houses at 10 o'clock at night or 2:00 in the morning, endangering their safety. It also negatively impacts the quality of life when people do not feel comfortable that they can get back to their home safely. Please don't damage neighborhoods based on inaccurate safety information. We should make our decisions based on true, accurate information. And the tragedy with the bicycle accident last week, that is a horrible tragedy. It was an intersection collision. Protected bike lanes do not prevent intersection collisions. They prevent side collisions between intersections. We have to address safety in all respects, but we need to address it accurately. Thank you. I urge you to vote against Bills 250266 and 250267.
I'm Kate Perez. And May 15 is Nakba Day, commemorating the catastrophe in 1948 when Zionist militias massacred Palestinian villages and expelled 700,000 Palestinians who are still waiting to return. The Nakba never ended and has only since escalated. On mental health, we have children who were brought medically evacuated from Palestine to Philadelphia hospitals because there is no medical infrastructure left in their own country after the IOF took their arms and legs and then systematically dismantled the entire medical system, taking hospital staff hostage, currently holding more than 10,000 Palestinian civilians, at least 1000 of them being children, hostage in prison camps. On Mother's Day the new Pope said, May a ceasefire immediately come into effect, may humanitarian aid be allowed into the civilian population and may all hostages be freed. Pope Leo is calling for aid to enter as it's Day 74 of the complete blockade, with more than 60 civilians dying from forced famine since the 2nd of March and 84 civilians killed just yesterday in airstrikes. Watching massacres every day and knowing that we pay for it at our expense weighs on our mind. Tuesday I told you our sister city bombed two hospitals in 24 hours, claiming the European hospital had Hamas tunnels and then caught in a lie by submitting images of a nearby school. Yesterday the IOF was evacuating patients from the Al Shifa Hospital and five nearby U.N. schools to be bombed, sending hospital patients down a dirt road mid-surgery. Three hours ago today they bombed the Al Taba Medical Clinic in Jabalia Refugee Camp. The bombs could have come from -
Hey, Ms. Perez. Just a little bit on mental health awareness.
It's on my mental health knowing that I pay for it. These bombs could have come from us. Dan Zimmerman is their sole provider of the three most used munitions. It's weighing on me that they sit comfortably on Spring Garden Street. There's actually going to be another protest against them today. Tomorrow Jewish Voices for Peace is demanding a meeting with Stacy Garrity to get rid of our state genocide bonds, and we're still waiting for the City's divestment resolution. We have Palestinian students in our school district that are banned from wearing anything representing their heritage. What does that do to the mental health of a child whose homeland is denied at all levels? Their own teachers leak personal information without punishment and the city they live in partners with and sends weapons to an occupying state that has destroyed every single kindergarten, middle school, U.N. school, high school and university in their country. Philadelphia has to cut all ties with Israel. We need an arms embargo and we will see a free Palestine.
Lynn Landes, Paul Birdsong, David Alexander Jenkins, Obama Hagins and Roy Azain. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes of Healthalertphilly.org. I support Councilmember Harrity's resolution declaring May Mental Health Awareness Month. And to that end, I strongly suggest that the City Health Department stop urging parents to give their children vaccines, all of which have been linked to serious, harmful health effects, including an epidemic of autism, attention deficit disorder and other mental and physical ailments. In fact, all medications and medical procedures should go through a much more rigorous scientific testing, including antidepressants that can cause depression, including suicidal and homicidal thoughts. The public might also reconsider its use of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, marijuana and other mind-altering and addictive drugs, not only because of their widespread harmful health effects but also because of the damage done to the general population, particularly young children, because our water is not filtered for drugs so our minds and bodies are all being adversely affected by the drugs other people take. Our U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has committed to taking big pharma to task for the dangerous drugs and medications that are on the market today. And I sincerely hope that both Democrats and Republicans fully support him in his efforts. Thank you.
My name is Paul Birdsong. Earlier I saw City Councilmembers stand up there and talk about predatory practices and regulation and fair housing and stuff like that. City Council President Kenyatta, I wanted to make you aware that the Panther Party and I asked our secretary just to make sure I had the numbers correct in the hallway. She said we received yesterday our 18th call that someone has put a for sale sign in front of a house that did not belong to them and that they went to some room here at City Council to try to show pictures when the people weren't home to try to claim that property illegally and take it from the homeowners. The Panther Party keeps getting called about this. Now, I'm pretty sure you know how we're going to respond and I'm pretty sure there's another way you'd like that to be responded to without us getting involved. So I think as you guys work on all of these oversight committees regarding housing, that that's something that you should take into consideration, maybe a task force to work on stopping people's houses from being illegally seized by these predators before the Panther Party feels the need to get involved on behalf of the people. I'm sure you guys have a much more peaceful way of handling it, you know what I'm saying. So the other thing, Qidere Johnson was shot with a shotgun over a chain, right. I want to speak to the youth of Philadelphia. I spoke to a 22-year-old young man in Crown Chicken on Broad Street. He had an FN on his hip. I said, that's a nice gun, brother. I got one of those. And I said, you got a license? He said, no. I said, how old are you? He said, 22. I said, you got felonies? He said, No. I said, hey, man, you should let the Panther Party buy you a gun license. It's $25 online. You don't got to walk around committing a felony and feel like you protecting yourself. You could get a gun license. You could responsibly protect yourself and your community. I'm going to tell you this real fast. There's a brother named Brother AK-47. He used to rob stores. He's a Christian minister now. He went to the store in Des Moines, Idaho in a predominantly black community. And when you went in the store, he said I knew that there was a security guard with an AR pistol and I wasn't scared of him, right. But when I went into this store, I saw a lady with a hip belt with a gun on it, a legal one. I saw another lady digging through a purse, she had a gun. I saw another lady, the cashier, had her purse right here and a little pistol mounted right there. There was a bunch of brothers walking around with guns on their hips and holsters that were clearly visible, meaning they were licensed, they were legal. He walked in that store ready to rob it and saw all those legally-armed Black people and turned around and went right back out, because he knew he wasn't going to make it out of there alive because that community was going to protect itself, right. I encourage everybody in the city of Philadelphia, right, who can legally arm yourself and protect yourself, to do so. Go online, get a gun license and do it the right way, right. In a community where people are legally armed that could protect themselves, things like what happened in Qidere Johnson go down because people are afraid to do things like that in a community that can protect and stand up for itself. And the Panther Party is willing to pay for the gun license of any young man who wants to get his gun the right way. We also offer gun safety courses for free. All power to the people. (Applause.)
David Alexander Jenkins. Then Ogbonna Hagins. May Roy Azain, Amir Barber and Helen McCrary also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Mr. President, members and guests. David Alexander Jenkins. I rise in support of Resolution 250507, as introduced by Councilman Harrity, leaning on the gravity such of an awareness over a month of dedicated to mental health will bring to the city of Philadelphia. I stand here on the shoulders of greatness, particularly in the spirit of my grandparents, Dr. Charles High Debnam and Dr. Patricia Turner, whose life work was centered on mental health, as pioneers in the national landscape of dignified treatment, all encompassing care and mental health awareness. It is they who have created the champion of humanities forced upon you weakly in this public comment. So blame them and they whom haunt my thoughts from beyond the grave and direct my tongue to rest upon issues of homelessness, with knowledge that a large portion of the city's homeless population suffers from untreated mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD and substance use -- opioid and substance abuse crisis where in 2023 alone Philadelphia lost over 1,400 lives to drug overdose with more than 80 percent of them linked to untreated mental health conditions. Our emergency rooms and police departments are overwhelmed by mental health-related 911 calls, repeated ER visits and police interventions. Our school performance and dropout rates are significantly aided by challenges like undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety and depression. We incarcerate the mentally ill at an alarming rate with 17% of incarcerated people having been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and 40% of the incarcerated population prescribed psychotrophics. This makes our jails de facto mental ill health facilities where mentally ill inmates otherwise who pose no real threat to society are kept like animals. Poor mental health leads to a loss of productivity, a loss of jobs, difficulty maintaining meaningful employment which is directly related to the extraordinary rise in our eviction rate. In a city where suicide and self harm is the leading cause of death among young adults where 1 in 5 adolescents has considered ending their own lives, 1 in 5 people. Where gun violence prevails as a primary tool of conflict resolution dismantling our communities bringing many of us here today to tears, as we reflected on the murder of Qidere Johnson whose mission addressed these very issues. The importance of mental health awareness cannot be overstated. So it is that I beg your passage of this resolution with acknowledgement and gravity of the crisis we face. While reaffirming our commitment to address it, let us elevate conversations around mental health, Let us honor those working on the front lines of this battle of the mind. Thank you. ) MS. McCARY SALAHUDDIN: Good afternoon. My name is Helen McCrary Salahuddin. I am out of order if you're look going down the list. I'm sorry but the brothers, and I thank you for letting the sisters go first. I'm here in support of the resolution to rename the 400 block of South Broad Street to Teddy Pendergrass Way. I am the attorney for Teddy Pendergrass, the estate of Teddy Pendergrass, Teddy Pendergrass Enterprises and his widow Joan Pendergrass. That resolution is being voted on today. And Mrs. Pendergrass asked me -- this is Regina Ferrell, she is our legislative guru. She led us through this process and I want to thank her. And I have a message here from Mrs. Pendergrass who lives in Florida and is unable to be here today and she wanted me to read this to you: Good day, Council President, esteemed Councilmembers, honored guests.
It is with a full heart and deep emotion that I stand before you, Mrs. Joan Pendergrass, to offer my sincere gratitude. Though Mrs. Pendergrass could not be here in person, she's asked me to speak on her behalf and express what this moment truly means to her and her family and all who loved and admired her late husband, the legendary Teddy Pendergrass. Today's vote to rename the 400 block of South Broad Street Teddy Pendergrass Way is more than an official act. It is a deeply moving tribute to a man who gave his heart, his soul and his voice to this city and to the world. Teddy was Philadelphia's own, born here, raised here and proud to live his entire life in the city that shaped him. It was here just steps away from where we stand now that his iconic voice helped define the sound of a generation. From the studios of Philadelphia International Records to the global stage, Teddy carried Philadelphia in every note he sang. This honor is deeply personal for Mrs. Pendergrass as well. It is the fulfillment of a dream, a dream to see Teddy's name and legacy permanently etched into the very streets that inspired so much of his life and his music. Thank you. She wants to thank each of you, Councilmembers, community leaders and every person who supported this effort not only for your vote, but for recognizing the immense contributions Teddy made, not just to music but to the cultural identity of Philadelphia and to the heart of millions around the world. Teddy's legacy is not just in his songs. It lives in the joy he brought to others, the pride he had in his hometown and the love he shared with all who knew him. Though he has transitioned, his spirit remains here and now. His name will forever stand as a beacon of inspiration on the very street where his story began. Thank you. )
Good morning. My name is Ogbonna Hagins. I'm a fourth generation chattel slavery survivor. I appreciate Councilman Harrity's resolution recognizing May as Mental Illness Awareness Month. Because if we're really being honest, what's been going on in this chamber for the past few years is definitely mental illness. The Reparations Task Force started nearly two years ago. No update -
Mr. Ogbonna Hagins, you know, I enjoy you coming every day. But the insinuations, the remarks about this body, could you just focus on the resolution that talks about -
Yeah, but in terms of your comments saying the work that this body has been doing is mental illness is totally inappropriate. I just want to say that for the record, sir.
So I'm just asking you are you violating my rights to free speech?
I told you the same thing like I did last time. If you think I'm violating your free speech, you know the appropriate way to address it. I do have the right to address your comments regarding the operation of this body.
And you have the right to address it how you think so as we move forward.
Are you speaking on the topic of the resolution, sir?
I said proceed, sir, or you won't be speaking at all. How do you want to handle it?
We have issues in this Council chambers such as the Roadmap to Safer Communities that specifically says that the root cause of gun violence is structural racism. This body has done nothing to address that study that was done in 2021. That's mental illness. We have the young man Qua who was murdered, gun violence. Mental illness in this chamber by not addressing structural racism as the root cause -
You know what, I think your comments are inappropriate. You can cut him. There will be no more comments from you today, sir. Address it how you see appropriate.
Address it how I said address it. Thank you very much. Please call the next person please for comment. Thank you very much.
We have Roy Azain, then Amir Barber. May Carlene Kirkpatrick and Tanya Hinton Green also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council and neighbors. I'm Roy Aizen. I live, walk, bike and drive along South 47th Street and I strongly support Bills 250266 and 250267, which would designate a protected bike lane on South 47th Street. We need real safety measures like this to prevent more violent crashes in our community and to support a healthy, accessible and growing mode of transit that many residents avoid for fear of being killed in a crash. Signs and lane striping are not enough. In addition to safety improvements for all who live or travel along South 47th Street, this change would help foster a thriving and prosperous community. This beautiful, welcoming mixed-use corridor does not benefit from drivers' ability to drive fast along South 47th. It benefits from pedestrians, bike users and drivers feeling comfortable and free to safely move around this area. Philadelphia has among the highest rates of traffic fatalities of any major city in the country. Every traffic death and injury is preventable. While this may not be the most dangerous street, this is our opportunity to ensure it gets better. Every additional measure taken to calm traffic and protect vulnerable road users is a step in the right direction. We absolutely must continue to move in that direction. Thank you, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, for introducing this bill and working to create safe and thriving communities.
Mr. Motivate Youth 215. Thank you for being in the chambers today, sir.
And thank you for all the positive work that you are doing and the positive work that you are doing to bring a sense of positivity, not only to our young people but lifting up the spirits of the City of Philadelphia and also providing opportunities for our young people to flourish. So thank you for joining us. Please proceed.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Good morning, Councilmembers, community members and honored guests. My name is Amir Barber, better known on social media as Motivate Youth 215. My fault. I'm feeling a little emotional cause -
Qua's mom when I hugged her, there's like them chills. So many younger people in Philadelphia, man. Like, it's just sad. But I'm, you know, I'm going to proceed. First, I would like to recognize Abini Johnson and Sari Hudson for straight A's every year in high school. Can y'all please give them a round of applause. (Applause.)
That's not just Black excellence, but that's young, Black and youth excellence in Philadelphia. I stand here today with deep gratitude and an even deeper sense of responsibility. I accept my citation not for myself, but on behalf of every young soul we lost to gun violence in the city of Philadelphia. Names like LGP Qua and many others who never got the chance to grow into their purpose. They were mortar victims. They were visionaries, they were artists, leaders and light. Their lives matter, the dreams matter and the absence leaves a silence that echoes in every corner of every neighborhood. Today's recognition means something, but not just because of the loss it represents. It means something because of the legacy. It continues and it connects us to legacy. We are standing in a chamber, the chamber shaped by warriors, Black City Councilmembers who didn't just hold office, but held the line. Men like Cecil B. Moore who fought unapologetically for justice and desegregation in Philadelphia. Women like Augusta Clark, the first Black woman elected citywide who championed education and civil rights into our final days. Leaders like John Street, who took the fight from the streets to the seats of power. Legacies remind us that Black leadership in this city has always been rooted in love for the people and the willingness to confront injustice head-on. They didn't wait for permission. They acted. And because they acted, we are here today with the platform to continue that work. This work is urgent and it cannot be done in isolation. It demands the same change, courage, same unity and the same vision that our civil rights leaders brought to this very Council. To the young lives we bury, we carry your names, your pain and your promise, and we will not stop until your legacy becomes our city's transformation. As we prepare to bury the Voice of the Youth, let the echoes of his character speak loudly all over the city. Come on, Philly. Thank you for having me. It's an honor. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Carlene Kirkpatrick and we proudly support Councilmember Brooks' resolution and deeply thank her for honoring the Lupus community and shining a spotlight on this often misunderstood and invisible illness. By recognizing May 10th as World Lupus Month in Philadelphia, Councilmember Brooks and City Council are helping to affirm the voices of thousands living with this disease and moving the city closer to a future of compassion, equity and improved health care access. This recognition is more than symbolic. It's a sign that our struggles are being seen and that our advocacy is making a difference. I am a Lupus advocate and ambassador. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1991 and I have endured the ups and downs of my Lupus journey. This resolution means so much to us in the Philadelphia area and across Pennsylvania. Raising awareness of Lupus helps people get diagnosed earlier and helps people with Lupus receive access to the care and treatment they need. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council. Thank you for having me. My name is Tonya Hinton-Green, born and bred here in Philadelphia. I thank you for being a part of a significant moment. As we gather to recognize May as Lupus Awareness Month in our city today, we have taken another crucial step in raising awareness and extending support to those affected by Lupus. As an ambassador, support group leader and advocate with the Lupus Foundation of America, I am also a proud member of Lambda Sigma Sigma Lupus Sorority, Inc., which is the first sorority for women with Lupus ages 18 and older. I have dedicated almost 30 years to battling Lupus myself. I am honored to stand with you in advocating for change. Let's remain united in our efforts to elevate Lupus and recognize and understand that today and for future generations together we can bring hope and foster understanding for everyone impacted by this condition. Thank you again. (Applause.)
Council President, there are no further names for public comment.
Thank you very much. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250461.
A resolution also naming South Broad Street between Pine and Lombard Streets as "Teddy Pendergrass Way" to honor the life and legacy of South Philadelphia legendary entertainer Teddy Pendergrass.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250461.
Thank you, Mr. President. It is an honor and a privilege to introduce this resolution and also to what it meant to the City of Philadelphia for Teddy Pendergrass's voice and soul that he gave us and all the 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING enjoyment, I'd like to have a roll call vote for this resolution. Thank you.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 250461 be adopted. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250504. CHIEF Clerk: A resolution renaming the 4700 block of Rising Sun Avenue between Wyoming and Mascher Streets to "Officer Lauretha A. Vaird Way" in honor of her bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to public service.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250504.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Lozada, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250504 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250507. CHIEF Clerk: A resolution declaring the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Chair recognizes 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Jim Harrity for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250507.
I move for the adoption of the resolution, Council President. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly second that Resolution No. 250507 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of Resolution No. 250509. CHIEF Clerk: A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 423-27, 429-39 (incl. 429-39 Rear) East Ashmead Street; 226, 260, 278, 313 (a/k/a 313-15) East Bringhurst Street; 49 East Earlham Street; 4635 Germantown Avenue; 30 Good Street; 5608, 5618, 5619, 5642, 5669 Heiskell Street; 4946 Keyser Street; 5514, 5515, 5642 Morton Street; 6672, 6674 Musgrave Street; 53 East Pastorius Street; 207 East Penn Street; 248 East Phil Ellena Street; 42, 44 Reger Street; 35 East Seymour Street; 227, 261, 263 East Sharpnack Street; 218, 326, 342, 343 Shedaker Street; 4951, 4957, 4961, 4975 Sheldon Street; 111, 112 East Springer Street; and 4925, 5222 Wakefield 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250509.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250579 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250510. CHIEF Clerk: A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1520-40 Venango Street and 1600-20 Venango Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250510.
Thank you. Mr. President. I move for the adoption 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250510 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read any additional resolutions in her possession for today's Calendar. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council and 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Committee on Education to hold hearings to investigate challenges and make recommendations for a strategic plan for the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. Introduced by Councilmember Thomas on behalf of Council President Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution declaring May 21, 2025, as Frank Kameny Day in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Landau.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution recognizing May 28, 2025, as LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia to shed light on domestic, family, and intimate partner violence in LGBTQ+ 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING communities. Introduced by Councilmember Landau.
Chair recognizes Councilman Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Majority Leader Richardson and Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young. It has been moved and properly seconded that the 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution declaring May 16, 2025, as National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day in the City of Philadelphia, a day to recognize and celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ+ elders who have been pivotal in the fight for justice, equity, and rights for every member of the LGBTQ+ community. Introduced by 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Landau.
Chair recognizes Councilman Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution declaring June 2025 as Pride Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Landau.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Landau for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCIL PRESIDENT 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Member Harrity, would you like to be recognized?
Okay. Your button is on for speeches. I'm sorry. Okay. Thank you. I know you will go first. I see your name there. Chair recognizes Council -- Chair recognizes the Chief Clerk. Please resume. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Qidere Johnson, 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING known professionally at LGP Qua - a Philadelphia Rapper who used his platform to speak out against gun violence and became widely recognized as the Voice of the Youth. Introduced by Councilmember Young on behalf of Council President Johnson.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Young. And then we'll do a silent vote. Chair recognizes Councilmember Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Silent vote.) (Duly seconded.)
Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING privileged resolution recognizing the month of May 2025 as National Foster Care Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Young.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution recognizing May as Lupus Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Brooks.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution honoring the election of Pope Leo the XIV as the 267th Pope and celebrating his connections to the Philadelphia area. Introduced by Councilmember O'Rourke.
Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Rourke for a motion 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I do move for the adoption of that resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING privileged resolution proclaiming May 2025 as Dual Asian American Pacific Islander and Jewish American Heritage Month in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the rich history and significant contributions made by generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Jewish Americans to our Country, Commonwealth, and City. Introduced by Councilmember Driscoll.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll for a motion on the resolution.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold a hearing to explore strategies for incorporating youth voices in Parks and Recreation Advisory Council's and decision-making processes. Introduced by Councilmember Bass. COUNCIL PRESIDENT 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING JOHNSON: Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution. CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution authorizing the Special Committee on Child Separation and the Committee on Health and Human Services to hold a joint hearing to investigate the recent provisional licensing status of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, and to examine the implications of alleged misconduct, breaches of confidential information and overall child safety within Philadelphia's Juvenile Detention and child welfare systems. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.
5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of myself and my colleague who co-authored the resolution, Councilwoman Nina Ahmad, we both call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Good answer. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution. 5/15/25 - STATED - 2ND READING CHIEF Clerk: A privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the 2025 Philippine Independence Week Celebration in Philadelphia, taking place from June 7th to June 21st. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
There are no further resolutions in my possession, Council President.
That completes our Calendar for today. Any speeches on behalf of the Minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. In recognition of Lupus Awareness Month -
Got it. Thank you, Council President. In recognition of Lupus Awareness Month, I want to acknowledge to many Philadelphians who live with Lupus, Lupus is known as the invisible illness because it does not have obvious outward symptoms and it's difficult to diagnose. Lupus Awareness Month is about shining a light on this invisible illness and recognizing the strength and resilience of people who live with it. Over 90% with Lupus are women. And one of them is Ebony McCoy and she's a member of my team. In the face of this illness, Ebony shows grace, fortitude and a commitment to raising awareness to people with Lupus so they don't have to suffer in silence. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke.
Thank you, Mr. President. The bombing of MOVE wasn't just a tragedy. It was a moral failure. It destroyed homes and lives. And today we honor the lives that are lost and recommit painful history, not to reopen wounds but to ensure that they never actually repeat. And we owe it to those lost, the survivors, their families and to future generations to keep telling this truth. So I want to thank my colleague City Councilmember Gauthier for introducing a resolution a couple of weeks ago declaring May 13, 2025 the MOVE Bombing, a Day of Reflection and Remembrance in the City of Philadelphia. Her commitment to remembering this history is a powerful reminder of the work that we must continue to do, which as uneasy and queasy sometimes as it makes us feel. I actually personally appreciate the relentless reminder that Kate Perez crisis being imposed upon Palestinians in Gaza as we speak. Bombs over Philly, bombs over Palestine, there is a moral mandate and a civic responsibility to remember and to care and to continue to do all that we can to as the scripture says, Follow peace with all men. Peace being the point and word and focus of the sermon that Pope Leo did lift up in his very, very first sermon in his first Sunday as the Pope. Today we honored him and his ascendancy to the papacy as he mentioned in his speech the opening words of the Risen Savior when he rose from the grave, Peace be unto you; As-salaamu alaykum; Shalom. It is important for us to recognize the moral clarity that is being articulated across this world now Pope Leo. I'm thankful to my colleagues, Member Harrity, Member Driscoll, Member Squilla, Member O'Neill and all others, Member Thomas as well as all others who join with us in making sure that we continue to echo our pride in this. The City of Philadelphia takes pride in recognizing the profound connections that the Pope has to our region and celebrates his election as a moment of joy and reflection for Catholics across the city as well as beyond. His election not only marks a new chapter for the global Catholic church but also brings honor to the communities, including those in the Philadelphia area that helped nurture his journey of faith and leadership, that his message of peace would also reach us here in Philadelphia, as many of us have already given voice to the loss of life, too much of it, in this young man that we have all honored today. I'm praying for my Minority Leader who knew him personally, helped raise him, advocated with him, among many other things, as well as all of us who I'm sure share in his grief, that there might be peace realized in our city is my prayer today. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Member O'Rourke. And as we celebrate our new Pope who comes from America, and I'm just so pleased that he recognizes and it will be known for generations to come, the greatest lived on Planet Earth by the name of Michael Jordan. And so, I'm sure that great debate as it moves forward will be solidified in people's minds by our Pope recognizing the outstanding, most dominant basketball player who ever walked this planet. So thank you very much for that resolution. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. Any speeches on behalf of the Majority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.
My man. Thank you, Council President. Thank you everybody who signed on today to the Mental Health Awareness Month bill resolution. We all know somebody or have somebody in our family who in some form. So I thank everybody for helping me to draw awareness to it. Also, just would like to mention for my colleague Chairwoman Quetcy Lozada, the Special Committee on Kensington will convene for a hearing regarding the best practices in substance use disorder, Resolution 240760, authorizing the Special Committee on Kensington to convene and explore the best practices in substance abuse disorder, outreach and to investigate the effectiveness of the current methods used by the City of Philadelphia and its partners. This will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. right here in the Council chambers, 1400 JFK Boulevard. Thank you all. Thank you, Council