Recognizing, Honoring, and Celebrating Marvin Barrish for his inspirational life and long-time commitment to improving the lives of others in the Philadelphia Area.

WHEREAS, Marvin Barrish has overcome great personal adversity, including paralysis from a gunshot wound, as well as the loss of his legs; and

WHEREAS, For sixteen years, Mr. Barrish has helped to set the political agenda in Philadelphia first as a producer on WNWR 1540 am, and then as a radio talk show host of “Barrish's Political Shootout,” broadcast by WIFI 1460 am and WNJC 1360 am, interviewing countless candidates for public office and informing citizens of the Philadelphia Area about the important issues of the day; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barrish has been a supporter of the families of slain police officers, an advocate for the community of those with disabilities, and a volunteer with such organizations as ASSIST and the Handicapped Person Network; as well as the recipient of a Presidential “Thousand Points of Light Award” for heroic efforts that succeeded in saving a police officer from suicide, who had been paralyzed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Barrish is an entertainer who danced his way into the movie “Rocky II”, and subsequently even became a well-known wheelchair-dancer extraordinaire performing at benefits for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Shriner's Hospital, the Special Olympics, the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and other worthy organizations; and also sponsored six fund-raisers for the American Cancer Society and fourteen fundraisers for the Variety Club; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barrish is the recipient of more political awards (77) than anyone else in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is fortunate to have Marvin Barrish as a citizen and major inspiration, and is grateful for his many contributions to politics, charity, and our collective public life; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes, honors, and celebrates Marvin Barrish for his inspirational life and long-time commitment to improving the lives of others in the Philadelphia Area.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Marvin Barrish, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

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