Naming and designating the Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. Recreation Center located at 5700 Haverford Avenue as the "Haddington-Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. Recreation Center."

WHEREAS, The Haddington section of the City is the neighborhood west of 52nd Street from Market to Cobbs Creek Parkway running to 63rd Street and bounded by Girard Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The Haddington section of the City derives its historical significance from the architectural design of the neighborhood and the planned commercial corridor complementing the residential living of the residents in this section, and represents the early 20th Century expansion of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Haddington section of the City is a registered historic district; and

WHEREAS, The Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. Recreational Center is one of the major features in the Haddington section of the City; and

WHEREAS, The name, Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. Recreational Center was changed from the Haddington Recreation Center on September 20, 1972; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Marshall L. Shepard, Sr., a man of magnanimous stature, was pastor of the Mount Olivet Tabernacle Church in Philadelphia and is an internationally renowned African American trailblazer who championed the cause of justice and equality for African American people in Philadelphia and around the World; and

WHEREAS, The commitment and dedication of Rev. Dr. Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. to the people of Philadelphia is reflected in his commitment as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representative from 1935 through 1942, and as a member of the City Council of Philadelphia from 1956 until his death in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Marshall L. Shepard. Sr. was the last Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds and the first Commissioner of Records under the new consolidation of the City government under the implementation of the Charter; and

WHEREAS, The contributions and significance of Rev. Dr. Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. to the citizens of Philadelphia is reflected in the present name of the Center; and

WHEREAS, A certain amount of confusion exists because many residents of City and the Haddington section still refer to the Marshal L. Shepard, Sr. Recreational Center as the Haddington Recreational Center; and

WHEREAS, Since the Marshal L. Shepard, Sr. Recreational Center is one of the major features in the Haddington section of the City it would be appropriate to rename the Marshal L.Shepard, Sr. Recreational Center the Haddington-Marshall L. Shepard, Sr. Recreational Center, thus making it easier for members of the community to identify the Center and make the center a location to honor the long time name of the community, as well as Rev. Dr. Marshall L. Shepard, Sr.; now therefore

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. The Marshall Shepard Recreation Center located at 5700 Haverford Avenue is hereby named and designated as the “Haddington-Marshall L.Shepard, Sr. Recreation Center.”

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