WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Hero Scholarship Fund was created in 1954 after 10 firefighters died in an explosion at a North Philadelphia chemical plant; and
WHEREAS, The Fund was established to provide college scholarships for children of Philadelphia Police Officers and Firefighters killed or severely disabled in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Fund has assisted hundreds of students attend and graduate from various colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, The Fund's main source of funding is through the sale of tickets to the annual Hero Scholarship Thrill Show. The show attracts hundreds of people to watch local celebrities, sport figures and demonstrations by police units and firefighters; and
WHEREAS, It is uncertain whether the 2006 Hero Scholarship Thrill Show will take place due to administrative decision-making; and
WHEREAS, Recently, the Fund has allegedly mistreated widows and children of fallen firefighters and police officers after the Fund was asked why the scholarship guidelines were changed and why scholarship monies were being held; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That authority be given to the Legislative Oversight Committee to hold public hearings to investigate the Hero Scholarship Fund scholarship award guidelines, the Fund's administrative decision-making and the status of the 2006 Thrill Show.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Committee is authorized in furtherance of such investigation to issue subpoenas as may be necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.
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