Thank you, Mr. President. As we continue to deliberate this budget season, after careful consideration following our most recent hearing from the Committee on Education concerning the benefits of early childhood education in our city, we will begin to hold internal meetings with all of you to explore the possibility ...

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one bill.

Whereas, in 1894, the Alumnae Association scored a triumph when it petitioned the University of Pennsylvania, until that time a solid fortress of masculinity, to accept women applicants to the Science Department and also asked that graduates of the Girls' High and Normal School be accepted without taking examinations; and

Whereas, after acquiring her freedom, Cornelia Wells continued to work regularly with the Peters family doing household washing. There was little work available for former slave women who were denied the opportunity of an education; and

Whereas, Cornelia Wells settled in a little cottage down by the river from Belmont ...

Whereas, Sheinelle has also received numerous awards in the Philadelphia region and served on many panels. In 2010, Lincoln University recognized her for an award in Women in Leadership and was named Woman of the Week by 95.7 Ben-FM and Cancer Treatment Center of America; and

Whereas, Sheinelle has ...

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you. I have no bills or resolutions today.

And before I read my part, I must say that in West Philadelphia, we fought for and have opened the only Red Cross House building in the country. So we're very, very proud of that fact, back in 1993.

And whereas, on Monday, July 29th, the American Red Cross ...

Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday not only did we learn that that track, thanks to Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's leadership, is not treated, we had -- I want to thank members of the community in addition who came out, people from South Philly, Southwest Philly, various groups who talked about the ...

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce four resolutions.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise this morning to also talk about education. The first is just an announcement and a reminder that on March 4th at 9:00 a.m., Dr. Adrienne Jacoby, Executive Director of Philadelphia Reads, will brief Council on Philadelphia Reads and discuss related issues.

The ...

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

That's right.

Whereas, Della Clark has helped minorities and entrepreneurs establish and maintain businesses in Philadelphia for more than two decades in her role as President of The Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia. Della Clark brings international entrepreneurial activities and strategies that she observed and explored in Hungary, Austria and the Czech ...

Whereas, Sylvester M. Johnson, retired Philadelphia Police Commissioner, received the highest award in Philadelphia Police Department, the Medal of Valor, after stopping an armed robbery while off-duty. Appointed to Police Commissioner in 2002, he helped reduce the record crime rates to a 17-year low in Philadelphia under his wonderful leadership ...

Thank you. Before I read my section, let me acknowledge the late and great Lucien Blackwell, who was a Korean War veteran, and Ed Speller from the Veterans Advisory Commission, who could not be here today.

Whereas, veterans offer our city a talented and experienced pool of leaders, workers and ...

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Yes. I wanted to say that as Chair of the Education Committee, we're expecting great things from one of our colleagues and great access. And also as all of you know, People's Emergency Center is in my district and we spoke at a dedication with Farah Jimenez yesterday ...

Thank you, Mr. President. I mentioned Senator Hughes tomorrow and a meeting with Dr. Hite present tonight at Lea School, but I neglected to mention there will also be a meeting tonight at 6 o'clock, same time, at the Hardy Williams School at 54th and Arlington, the old Shaw ...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I almost hate to speak after those remarks. Thank you very much.

I wanted to announce two things. One, tonight -- and we're dealing now with the closing of schools -- we're having a meeting at Lea Elementary School, where I worked in my ...

Aye on all bills.

Thank you.