Recognizing and congratulating the National Urban League on their 100th Anniversary.

WHEREAS,

The National Urban League is the oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream; and

WHEREAS,

The National Urban League promotes civic engagement, civil justice, economic development and education to help improve the quality of life for the communities it serves; and

WHEREAS,

Since the National Urban League was founded, it has expanded to include over twenty five national programs, 103 local affiliates within 36 states including the Urban League of Philadelphia, led by Patricia A. Coulter, which was founded in 1917; and

WHEREAS,

The National Urban League worked tirelessly through the civil rights movement with such leaders as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., A. Phillip Randolph and many other leaders; and

WHEREAS,

The housing and community development division of the National Urban League provides housing counseling and foreclosure prevention and mediation services to stem the tide of foreclosures across the nation and here in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS

, The local affiliate has provided direct services to the Greater Philadelphia region through entrepreneurship, employment and youth development programming, as well as the Urban Leadership Forum, a program designed to heighten the leadership development of young professionals of color; and

WHEREAS,

Annually the National Urban League publishes

the State of Black America

report which investigates disparities between African Americans and other racial groups based on economics, education, health, civic engagement and social justice and the Urban League of Philadelphia publishes its companion publication, the State of Black Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS,

For 100 years, the National Urban League has held the public trust by respectfully bringing elected leaders and the public together through non-partisan, civil means and through thoughtfully advancing solutions; and

WHEREAS,

The National Urban League held its Centennial Conference in Washington D.C. July 28 through July 31, 2010; and

WHEREAS,

Philadelphia has benefited tremendously from the countless efforts from the National Urban League over its 100 year history of enhancing the standard of living for underserved urban communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That City Council hereby recognizes and congratulates the National Urban League on its 100th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED

, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the National Urban League and its local affiliate, the Urban League of Philadelphia, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End