Councilman Mariano? (Councilman Mariano not present at this time.)
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. A ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes.
There is a special order of business. We just received an additional transmittal from the Mayor. I would ask the clerk to please read the letter from the Mayor.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body the following ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions. And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 within the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
Thank you, Madam ADDITIONAL INTRODUCTION OF BILLS President. I offer the two bills.
The clerk will please read the title of the two bills.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards. And commissions
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001 within the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.
Madam President, are we aware from the Mayor's message whether or not ADDITIONAL INTRODUCTION OF BILLS these are specific appropriations?
Are we aware from the Mayor's transmittal whether or not these appropriations are normal, sort of yearly appropriations or is there something special about these appropriations? Have we been given any information or -
Councilman, I think they were delivered to Mr. McPherson. I don't know whether he had an opportunity to check into that. Mr. McPherson have you -- were you able to determine that?
I'm sorry. Councilmember Krajewski said they're year-end transfers and that's what I needed to know. Thank you.
Are there speeches on the part of the Minority? (No speeches on the part of the Minority.)
Are there speeches on the part of the Majority? SPEECHES The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. I think, together with most people, I hope, throughout the world, we noted with gratification yesterday the release of the eight prisoners who have been confined in Afghanistan since August with charges that could lead to the death penalty of seeking to convert to Christianity people of the Muslim faith. I thought that many, many years ago, the concept of death penalties for preaching religion had long gone by the board. So we note with satisfaction the release of the eight, particularly the two Americans, and I take great joy in the fact that the United States played an important role in their rescue. At the same time, I'm hoping that the United States will show the same kind of leadership in making certain that the government in Afghanistan that takes over for at least those parts of the areas of the country that have been removed from the control of the Taliban begin to exercise basic rights of civilized people. What we're hearing SPEECHES about what women are exposed to in Afghanistan is utterly beyond the ability to comprehend, and I'm hoping that quickly, the United States will demonstrate that, in fact, we are against terrorism and we are for basic human rights. So I just note that for the record and say that I certainly hope that the United States and the United Nations become world leaders in doing what they profess to be doing, and that is promoting democracy throughout the world. And I'm expecting women's organizations very shortly to begin making the kind of demands for Afghanistan and the rest of the world that they've made in the United States. And the fact that we are a women-led organization here in the legislative body certainly demonstrates beyond all question the total capability of women in every capacity and every area, and that ought to be recognized as a basic democratic right throughout the world. I then want to say just a word or two about the local situation. I believe that the attention of the City Council from this point forward ought to be directed just about exclusively to the question of the schools. I don't believe we SPEECHES ought to spend any time on any other subject until the issues about the public schools in Philadelphia are completely resolved. I know there are differences between the Mayor and the Council and there are differences between different Councilmembers. But the only way we will ever get to a solution will be if we begin to discuss things. I also believe that basically if Philadelphia's interests are to be represented, I believe there can only be one spokesperson for the City, and I think it has to be the Mayor, but for the Mayor's voice to have any authenticity or credibility, his voice has to represent the viewpoints not only of the Mayor himself but of the Mayor and of the City Council and of the parents of the kids of those that are affected by the existence of public education in the City. And I'm hoping that we find a way for the Mayor and the City Council and other groups to begin to get together quickly and to reach some general conclusions as to what would be the best course for Philadelphia. I happen to think it's all very simple; many others think other ways. All we need, as far SPEECHES as I can see, is more money from the State. (Applause.)
Because I think we know what needs to be done. You've got to cut down on the size of classes, you've got to have much more attention and much more time spent on things like reading and math. You've got to update technology in the schools. You've got to have perhaps even more training for our certified teachers. You've got to do something about some of the horrible school facilities. And we've got to recognize that schools, just like stadiums, get old and have to be replaced, and the schools can probably put up a better argument than the stadium because some of our schools are a hundred years old or even older than that. But in any event, we are not going to get to solutions unless we all begin talking to each other and begin to seek hammering out a uniform program that the overwhelming number of us can support. And so I'm urging upon the President and this City Council that we seriously consider doing nothing else except working on the schools. I think any hearings that have been scheduled for next week SPEECHES or any time into the future ought to be, unless they involve emergency situations, on schools. (Applause.)
Thank you. Incidentally, I notice today's the third successive pay day that Councilmembers will find nothing in the envelope. Maybe that's why they all look so much trimmer than usual and very healthy, and maybe that will continue on as the number of payless pay days continue. But I do think we've all got to get together, and unless we can make our minds up that it's our responsibility -- and I think it is, I think it's our responsibility as much as the Mayor's -- to deal with the problems in the school -- in fact, we'll have more to answer than the Mayor will. I think we've just got to concentrate on that. This is November 15th. I don't like the notion of the confrontations that may occur in the legislative bodies, in the courts or on the streets of Philadelphia, but I'm fearful that they will all occur unless we come together and begin talking to each other and begin resolving issues. SPEECHES And first of all and foremost has to be the consideration of what's best for the kids and their parents in Philadelphia. This is a Philadelphia school problem, and the main answers have to come from Philadelphians. And I hope that the Governor and the Mayor and the members of this City Council fully understand that. So, Madam President, I'm asking you to give serious consideration to the suspension of all future activities of the City Council until the matter of the schools is fully resolved. Thank you, Madam President.
Are there any other speeches on the part of the Majority? (No further speeches.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 29th, at 10 a.m. 2001.
It's been moved ADJOURNMENT and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned Thursday, November 29, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. Those opposed? The motion carries. Thank you. (Proceedings end at 11:32 a.m) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, November 15, 2001, are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING _______________________________, Josephine Cardillo Registered Professional Reporter and Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)