Congratulating Leslie Seymour.

WHEREAS, Leslie Seymour is a retired 26-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, known well for her long standing commitment to equal justice and civil rights' issues; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1960's, Ms. Seymour filed a lawsuit against the Philadelphia Police Department for racially discriminatory hiring practices. In the mid-1970s, she challenged the Police Department's assignment and promotional practices in court; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Seymour prevailed in both suits, and helped bring about important changes in the way the Police Department operates; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Seymour has served on the Philadelphia Chapter Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for nine years. She has been an outspoken advocate on issues involving racial and gender discrimination, police practices, and an avid and vocal opponent of the death penalty; and

WHEREAS, For the first time in its 49-year history, the ACLU's Philadelphia Chapter has elected a former police officer to serve as its President. Ms. Leslie Seymour is also the first African-American woman to serve as President of the Philadelphia Chapter. As a former law enforcement official, Ms. Seymour brings a unique and important perspective to the presidency; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate Leslie Seymour on her election as President of the Philadelphia Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union, which has dedicated itself to protecting the rights and personal freedoms enumerated in the U. S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights through advocacy, education and litigation.

RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to Leslie Seymour, further evidencing the sincere sentiments, congratulations and high esteem of this legislative body.

End