Honoring the Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones Diversity Tour and Declaring October 18, 2008 as "Cullen Jones Day" in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS,

The City of Philadelphia is pleased to honor and celebrate the Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones Diversity in swimming tour; and

WHEREAS,

Legendary swim coach Jim Ellis and his PDR swim team will be partnering with Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones to strive to bring diversity to the sport of Swimming through the first annual Cullen Jones Swim Meet; and

WHEREAS,

The first annual Cullen Jones Swim Meet will be held Saturday, October 18, 2008 at LaSalle University and will be hosted by PDR Swimming; and

WHEREAS,

Cullen Jones burst into the swimming scene at the 2005 World University Games at which he won Gold in the 50 meter freestyle and became the first African American Male to win a Gold Medal at the World University Games; and

WHEREAS,

Cullen Jones further proved that he is one of the fastest swimmers in the world when he became the second African American to win an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, when he swam on the 4X100 freestyle relay team that included Michael Phelps; and

WHEREAS,

Coach Jim Ellis is a long time proponent of diversity in swimming. The swim team which he founded almost 40 years ago has been a model of diversity in swimming. Most recently Coach Ellis partnered with the Salvation Army which is building the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center in the Nicetown section of the City; and

WHEREAS

, The Salvation Army Kroc Center will be a 128,000 square foot facility on a 12.4 acre site that will include a 25 meter/10 lanes indoor pool that is slated to open in 2010. Coach Ellis will direct the aquatics program at the center while continuing his efforts to bring diversity to the sport of swimming; and

WHEREAS,

The Cullen Jones Diversity Tour was established in 2008 as a vehicle to support the increase of diversity to the sport of swimming as an choice for athletic activities, the health benefits of swimming, drowning prevention, positive social environments, increased self esteem that results from team participation; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

, Declares and recognizes October 18, 2008 as “Cullen Jones Day” in the City of Philadelphia and honors and celebrates the Cullen Jones Diversity in Swimming Tour.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution will be presented to Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones as evidence of the sincere sentiment of this legislative body.

End