Declaring September U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Month and commending Arlene Fields on being the first African American woman to achieve the rank of Commanding Officer of a division within the 4-2 Region.

WHEREAS, U.S. Navel Sea Cadet Corps programs, for young men and women 13-17 years old, exist in most of the maritime countries including Canada, Great Britain, Belgium and Japan, to name a few. With instilling leadership skills as its primary goal, the NSCC further seeks to build in every cadet a sense of patriotism, courage, self-reliance, confidence and similar qualities which will mold good character and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, Sea Cadet recruits (E-l) attend a two-week recruit training, during their first summer, at the Navy’s recruit training command at Great Lakes or at one of the regional training sites. Cadets become officers and, in their next recruit training, can be stationed at any national or international site; and

WHEREAS, The Barry DDG-52 division is the only, inner city non-military sea cadet unit and, housed in Benjamin Franklin High School, is the first, of its kind, in the history of the School District of Philadelphia. Its focus on leadership, responsibility, citizenship and academics has ignited a renewed enthusiasm within the both the school’s students and its administration; and

WHEREAS, Arlene Fields believed that the availability of naval sea cadet training could prove beneficial to the youth of Philadelphia, widen their options and afford them opportunities that they otherwise would not have. Ms. Fields boldly accepted the challenge to prove that not only did a qualified pool exist within our urban setting but that a unique opportunity to eradicate any stereotypes as to our children’s ability to compete and excel if given the same stimuli; and

WHEREAS, Commanding Officer Fields, asked by the Naval Academic Alumni President of Pennsylvania and the Regional representative for the U.S. Naval League to lead the Barry DDG-52 division, is the first African American female to hold this distinguished rank in the 4-2 region and, by virtue of her continuous service and commitment to Philadelphia youth, is well qualified to provide the leadership essential to the growth of this precedent setting unit; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby declare September U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Month and commend Arlene Fields on being the first African American woman to achieve the rank of Commanding Officer of a division within the 4-2 region.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to Arlene Fields, Commanding Officer and the Cadets of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps-Barry DDG-52 Division as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End