Honoring Mr. Jack Franklin and Mr. Kendall Wilson.

WHEREAS, Accurate history depends on accurate recording of the present in words and photographs. Memorable history depends on the creative use of words and pictures to interpret events and to record the atmosphere in which they occur; and

WHEREAS, In the African American community, two men have emerged as giants in these journalistic endeavors, and in Philadelphia, the names Kendall Wilson and Jack Franklin are synonymous with excellence in their respective journalistic fields; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kendall Wilson has spent more than thirty-five years in communications. As a senior writer for The Philadelphia Tribune, he has focused on civil rights, government, foreign affairs and politics. His writing has been so well recognized that in 1998 he won the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s A. Philip Randolph Award. Further, even with his enormous professional responsibilities, he has found time to devote to the Boy Scouts, the Christian Street YMCA, and Frontiers International, among others; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jack Franklin, a photographer since high school, has been published in “Sepia,” “Nite Life,” “Scoop USA,” “Philadelphia Independent,” “The Philadelphia Tribune,” and “Ebony/Jet” magazines. He is prolific and creative, has been an instructor and a mentor, and today his collection is housed at the African American Museum in our city, where over 300,000 negatives await future scholars and artists; and

WHEREAS, In June, 2003, Philadelphians from all walks of life, and citizens from around this entire region, joined together to pay tribute to these two remarkable men. They were roasted and toasted by family, friends and colleagues, and honored by all who know them. They are truly craftsmen and artists, held in high esteem by all their professional colleagues; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend Mr. Jack Franklin and Mr. Kendall Wilson. We thank them for all of their contributions, and for the history they have helped preserve through their work.

RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Jack Franklin and Mr. Kendall Wilson as evidence of the sincere respect and deep admiration of this legislative body.

End