WHEREAS, The winter poses extreme hardship for inadequately housed low-income men, women, and children in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The spirit of the holiday season of giving provides an opportunity for
affirmation and renewal regarding the commitment to end homelessness; and
WHEREAS, December 20th has been designated National Homeless Persons' Memorial
Day by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, and is so recognized by cities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, In this season of generosity and sharing, citizens of Philadelphia are encouraged to commit themselves to promoting compassion and concern for all brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor and homeless; and
WHEREAS, In remembering those who have died on the streets, the cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent as is the city's/county's collective commitment to preventing such deaths in the future; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby declare December 20, 2007 National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, in recognition of the people who have died on our streets, in our emergency shelters, and in condemned or abandoned properties, from ailments or conditions directly related to homelessness; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Homeless Advocacy Project as a sincere expression of this Council's appreciation for the Homeless Advocacy Project's work to end homelessness.
End