Designating December 21st , 2001 as "Homeless Persons Memorial Day."

WHEREAS, The winter poses extreme hardships for inadequately housed low-income men, women, and children in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The spirit of the holiday season of giving provides an opportunity for affirmation and renewal regarding the commitment to end homelessness; and

WHEREAS, December 21st , 2001 has been designated “National Homeless Persons Memorial Day” by the National Coalition for the Homeless and is so recognized by more than 70 cities throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Homeless Memorial Day Committee has planned and convened five annual events recognizing homeless people who died in our City; and

WHEREAS, In this season of generosity and sharing, citizens of the City of Brotherly Love are encouraged to commit themselves to promoting compassion and concern for all brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor and homeless; and

WHEREAS, The elimination of poverty and homelessness should be an integral feature of efforts to build and maintain a strong America; and

WHEREAS, In remembering those who have died on the streets, the cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent, as is the City's collective commitment to preventing such deaths in the future; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby declare our commitment to promoting solutions that fundamentally break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby declares December 21st , 2001 as “Homeless Persons Memorial Day,” in recognition of the people who have died on our streets or in our emergency shelters from ailments or conditions directly related to homelessness.

End