Honoring and Commending the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

WHEREAS, The National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of African American leaders in the public sector; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1983, the number of NFBPA members has grown by large numbers to include managers and executives in many disciplines represented in all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, NFBPA is the country’s top association of Black public leadership, with a stellar reputation for strengthening the capacity of government managers in a wide array of disciplines, through rigorous training, professional development programs and well connected network of Black public leaders; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the NFBPA is embodied in the organization’s commitment to strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration; to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations; and, to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead; and

WHEREAS, In 1984 under the leadership of Mayor W. Wilson Goode, the Philadelphia chapter was born; and

WHEREAS, The first Chapter President was Barbara Daniel Cox who began a string of exceptional Presidents which have included Timothy Spencer, Cardell Blue, Oliver Jordan, and current President Rutherford “Rusty” Thomas; and

WHEREAS, We are honored that the leadership of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators has chosen Philadelphia to host Forum 2004, the national conference of the NFBPA, from April 3 through April 7; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Rutherford C. Thomas, President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NFBPA, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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