Recognizing the Legacy of William Penn on the anniversary of his birth, October 24th.

WHEREAS, Philadelphians recognize the founding by William Penn of our City, birthplace of the nation; and

WHEREAS, William Penn extended friendship and fair dealing to the native American Indians, and established our City and State as a haven for oppressed peoples of the world, to whom he offered religious and civil liberties, and high standards of justice; and

WHEREAS, William Penn was far ahead of his time as an untiring advocate of representative government, city planning, penal reform, humane mental institutions, and public education for everyone; and one of the first statesmen to envision the unification of the American colonies; and

WHEREAS, William Penn, through his “Holy Experiment,” introduced into our City and State a humanitarian code of law which was honored in 1751 by the casting of the Liberty Bell; and

WHEREAS, William Penn's belief in the nonviolent settlement of disputes among individuals, states, and nations continues to guide and inspire us today; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the legacy of William Penn, founder of this City and citizen of the first order on the anniversary of his birth, October 24th .

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Jay Meyers and Elaine Peden, co-chairs of the Friends of William Penn, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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