Recognizing and commending various City and State agencies and entities for their immediate, effective and unrelenting efforts in the removal of snow from the streets and public right-of-ways, in the City of Philadelphia, during the Blizzard of 2003.

WHEREAS, Within a two-day period, the Blizzard of 2003 blanketed the Philadelphia area with over 18 inches of snow; and

WHEREAS, The amount of snow that was associated with the storm made most, if not, all streets and highways in the City of Philadelphia area virtually impassable, and greatly inhibited the safe and effective operation of public transportation; and

WHEREAS, Without the efforts of several City and State entities, this storm would have made it extremely difficult for emergency service vehicles to navigate City streets, and would have prevented essential, emergency personnel from going to work or otherwise responding to, or providing their much needed services in, critical, emergency situations; and

WHEREAS, City streets and public right-of-ways were cleared of snow in an efficient and expeditious manner through a coordinated effort between and among various City and State agencies and entities including the Mayor's Office, the Managing Director's Office, the Streets Department, and PennDOT; and

WHEREAS, The effort of clearing and removing snow resulted in minimized storm disruptions to businesses and transportation, and without severely and adversely impacting public safety; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and commend various City and State agencies and entities for their immediate, effective and unrelenting efforts in the removal of snow from the streets and public right-of-ways, in the City of Philadelphia, during the Blizzard of 2003.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Mayor's Office as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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