Recognizing and commending the volunteers who reset headstones and cleaned up after the damage done to over 200 headstones at Eden Cemetery.

WHEREAS, On July 20, 2008, vandals toppled 201 gravestones at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Dozens of volunteers worked to right the headstones, helping to ease the pain of family members of the deceased buried at Eden Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, The work of the volunteers has restored peace and order to the burial ground; and

WHEREAS, The volunteers have demonstrated a commitment to their community by working to establish a respectful and safe environment; and

WHEREAS, Eden Cemetery, founded in 1902, is the resting place of several historic figures and is the oldest African-American-owned cemetery in the country; and

WHEREAS, Today, there are over 80,000 interred in Eden Cemetery in 23 sections whose names honor various civil rights leaders and the deceased from cemeteries moved to Eden; and

WHEREAS, Many prominent African-Americans are buried at Eden Cemetery, including opera singer Marian Anderson, civil rights leader and baseball player Octavius Valentine Catto, abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor William Still, U.S. Congressman George Henry White, and others; and

WHEREAS, Many Philadelphians and relatives and friends of Philadelphians are interred at Eden Cemetery; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and commend the volunteers who worked to repair and reset the damaged tombstones at Eden Cemetery and thank them for their service to the community and the relatives and friends of the deceased buried at Eden Cemetery.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the individuals who volunteered at Eden Cemetery as evidence of the sincere sentiments and recognition of this legislative body.

End

James F. Kenney