Recognizing and honoring Lesia Kuzma, Esquire for her leadership and work as the Chair of the First Judicial District's Mortgage Foreclosure Steering Committee on the occasion of the second anniversary of the City's nationally renowned Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program.

WHEREAS, with the significant rise in mortgage foreclosures both on the local and national level the Mortgage Foreclosure Steering Committee, with Ms. Lesia Kuzma as chair, has served as the focal group in developing and implementing the Pilot Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program with the First Judicial District; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Kuzma has been the coordinator of the group's efforts at every level, her commitment and diligence to the project has made it operate to date; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Kuzma oversees the committee's efforts by conducting meetings for the purpose of drafting operating protocols for the program; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Kuzma is passionate about the project and acts as a great facilitator for the group where there are representative stakeholders from all sides of the issue. She skillfully keeps everyone under one tent to move the group forward; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 2,000 homes have been saved through the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Program and the efforts of Ms. Kuzma and committee members. As result of this success Ms. Kuzma has become a sought after spokesperson for the program in other jurisdictions looking to stem the increased flow of foreclosures; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognize and honor Lesia Kuzma, Esquire for her leadership and work as the Chair of the First Judicial District's Mortgage Foreclosure Steering Committee on the occasion of the second anniversary of the City's nationally renowned Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Lesia Kuzma as a symbol of this legislative body's admiration, sincere sentiments and steadfast commitment to the prevention of unnecessary mortgage foreclosures.

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