WHEREAS, Mr. Samuel L. Evans has passed his 100th birthday, but shows no sign of slowing down or even eliminating any of the dozens of activities and programs which have made him a legend in Philadelphia and throughout this country; and
WHEREAS, We have heard that at this age, Mr. Evans does pretty much what he pleases, but we note that what pleases him most often is making the world a better place. By the time he founded AFNA (American Foundation for Negro Affairs) in 1968, he was also a well-known impresario and an influential advocate for the rights of all minorities; and
WHEREAS, His achievements would fill a book. They include booking the likes of the Royal Philharmonic of London, Itzhak Perlman and Andre Watts; producing the String Arts Quartet; he organized the Philadelphia caravan to Dr. Kings March on Washington, and in three weeks he sold 500 busses and two trains. The 42,000 citizens of Philadelphia formed the largest contingent in the entire country; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Evans is son of a slave. He dresses with traditional elegance, loves his antique furniture, works ten hours a day, remembers the names of people he met twenty years ago, loves his country like the native son he is, and is held in deep affection and the highest esteem by all who know him. He is unique and he is a true Philadelphia treasure; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend Mr. Samuel L. Evans on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday.
RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Samuel L. Evans as evidence of the sincere respect and deep admiration of this legislative body.
End