Honoring Joseph S. Martz.

WHEREAS, Joseph S. Martz, over the course of the last decade, has served the City of Philadelphia in a number of capacities, including positions with the Department of Public Property and as the First Deputy Managing Director in the Rendell Administration; and

WHEREAS, Joe was appointed Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia on January 7, 2000 by Mayor John F. Street. As Managing Director, Joe also, served this City as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and Chief Operating Officer; and

WHEREAS, Joe's enormous success can be traced directly to the hard work and dedication of his parents, George and Delores Martz, in that Joe is one of seven children that have achieved incredibly successful careers; and

WHEREAS, Joe Martz epitomizes Northeast Philadelphia, graduating Saint Bernard Grade School and Father Judge High School with boyhood friend, State Representative Michael McGeehan, and still residing in his lifelong home on Chippendale Street; and

WHEREAS, Joe earned a bachelor's degree from Penn State University and a master's degree in business administration from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure as Managing Director, Joe has overseen a number of highly successful projects, including the abandoned vehicle program, the vacant lot program, and innovative changes to the 911 system; and

WHEREAS, Joe was also the driving force behind an initiative for plowing secondary streets during snowstorms, drawing rave reviews from city residents; and

WHEREAS, The crowning jewel of Joe's tenure came in August 2000, as the Republican National Convention was held in Philadelphia, thrusting our city into the national spotlight and showcasing our treasures to the rest of the nation; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor, commend, and express our sincere appreciation to Joseph S. Martz, Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia, for his hard work, dedication, and distinguished service to the City of Philadelphia and its' residents.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Joe Martz, further evidencing the grateful appreciation and deep admiration of this legislative body. We wish him tremendous success in all of his future endeavors.

End