Recognizing the Service of Jettie D. Newkirk, Esquire, on the Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

WHEREAS

, Jettie D. Newkirk, Esquire, has served continuously on the SEPTA Board as a representative of Philadelphia County since September 1992; and

WHEREAS

, Jettie D. Newkirk, after graduating from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, earned a Master's degree in counseling and guidance and a Juris Doctor degree from Temple University; and

WHEREAS

, Having practiced law for over 25 years, she exhibited a genuine devotion to the City of Philadelphia, especially its youth, and earned a reputation for honesty, integrity, thoroughness, directness and sensitivity to the needs of her clients; and

WHEREAS

, During her tenure on the SEPTA Board, Jettie D. Newkirk has been an active member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), whose Philadelphia Chapter has recently established a scholarship fund for deserving students in her name to honor her service to both the local and national organization; and

WHEREAS

, Jettie D. Newkirk's substantial civic and social contributions currently include membership on the Carroll Park Community Council Board of Directors; FAMU Alumni Association; 2000 African American Women; Chair-Advisory Board, Netter Center of Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania; and the Vine Memorial Baptist Church - Chair, Community Outreach Ministry; and

WHEREAS

, Jettie D. Newkirk is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Barrister's Association, Philadelphia Bar Association, National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, and was recently awarded the A. Leon Higginbotham Life Time Achievement Award by the Minority Bar Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and was named by the Philadelphia Tribune as one of its 2008 leaders; and

WHEREAS

, The Philadelphia City Council wishes to recognize the years of devoted public service that Jettie D. Newkirk has given to the citizens of metropolitan Philadelphia and the countless hours that she dedicated to the furtherance and improvement of public transit as a member of the SEPTA Board's Administration Committee and as Chairman of both the Board's Operations and Pension Committees; and

WHEREAS

, The Philadelphia City Council further wishes to recognize the devotion she brought to her position on the SEPTA Board and the recognition that she earned for herself, the City and SEPTA.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,

That the Philadelphia City Council hereby gratefully acknowledges the faithful and accomplished service that Jettie D. Newkirk, Esquire, gave to the Citizens of Philadelphia, to SEPTA and its member counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while serving as one of the appointees of Philadelphia County.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That the Philadelphia City Council hereby extends its sincere and highest appreciation for her almost seventeen years of dedication and service on the SEPTA Board, along with its best wishes for her future success.

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