Honoring and congratulating Mr. Jim Reed on the Occasion of his Retirement from Verizon Pennsylvania Inc. in Philadelphia, after Forty-Eight Years of Service including Nineteen Years of Service as External Affairs Director and his lifelong contributions to education, prosperity and quality of life in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Mr. Jim Reed, a native of Savannah Georgia and long time resident of Philadelphia, has shown compassion, love, and continuous commitment to and concern for the City; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology and Spring Garden College, and attending Temple University, Mr. Reed became a math instructor in the public school system at Dobbins and Edison High Schools, at Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. and Temple University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reed has accumulated more than 48 years of experience in all facets of telecommunications, beginning his career with AT&T and then proceeding to Bell of Pennsylvania at the External Affairs Department as Community Relations Director, and finally assuming his current position as External Affairs Director in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reed has avidly supported countless citizens and contributed to his community, chairing the Mayor's Commission on Service to the Aging, and being an active board member of Urban Affairs Coalition, The Men of 644th Engineer Battalion “C” Incorporated, Frontiers International, Inc., and many other organizations; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reed is an active member of Tinley Temple Church where he serves as an Usher and member of Methodist Men and Charles A. Tinley Community Development Corporation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reed has been honored by countless organizations including OIC, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, Asian American Women Coalition, Cheyney University, Berean Institute, Operation PUSH, Teenagers In Charge, Concerned Black Men, City of Philadelphia, Frontiers International, Ducky Birts Foundation, Haddington Multi-Service Center for Older Adults, Grands As Parents, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reed leaves Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. with the force and power that has made him a leader in his community, as he continues to be a resident of the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and a concerned community advocate; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

, That we hereby honor and congratulate Mr. Jim Reed on the occasion of his retirement from Verizon Pennsylvania Inc. in Philadelphia, after forty-eight years of service including nineteen years of service as External Affairs Director and his lifelong contributions to education, prosperity and quality of life in Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Jim Reed,

as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body

End