Honoring and recognizing the achievements of Benjamin Franklin on the occasion of the 300th Anniversary of his birth and commending the contributions of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary in celebrating this momentous event.

WHEREAS, On January 17, 2006, our nation will celebrate Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin was one of the most extraordinary men of his time having been a printer, writer, scientist, inventor, civic leader, revolutionary and international diplomat; and

WHEREAS, To citizens of the United States, Franklin defines what it means to be an American; and

WHEREAS, The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, a non-profit organization supported by a lead grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts, was established to mark the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth with a celebration dedicated to educating the public about his enduring legacy and the values he embodied; and

WHEREAS, The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary was founded in 2000 by the American Philosophical Society, The Franklin Institute, The Library Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, an Act of Congress in 2002 created the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, comprised of a panel of fifteen outstanding Americans chosen to study and recommend programs to celebrate Franklin's 300th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Franklin's life will be chronicled in a major international traveling exhibition,

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

which demonstrates Franklin's endless curiosity about the world around him; and which premieres at the National Constitution Center in December 2005 and then travels to St. Louis, Houston, Denver, and Atlanta before arriving in Paris for its grand finale; and

WHEREAS, CBS 3, serving as the local host sponsor of the exhibition, is spreading the message of the exhibition and Franklin's monumental achievements with a documentary that will be aired on or near January 17, 2006; and

WHEREAS, The Tercentenary also has developed extensive educational programming for teachers at every grade level; and

WHEREAS, The Tercentenary has demonstrated how Benjamin Franklin’s insights and achievements are still relevant to our times through

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

, the companion book to the Tercentenary exhibition; and

WHEREAS, The Tercentenary has worked with countless partners in Philadelphia and across the county--in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation characteristic of Franklin--to provide accessible and varied public programming regarding this fascinating founding father; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and recognize the achievements of Benjamin Franklin on the occasion of the 300th Anniversary of his birth and commend the contributions of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary in celebrating this momentous event.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the leadership of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary as evidence of the high esteem and sincere gratitude of this legislative body.

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