Supporting Bilal Qayyum and the Fathers' Day Rally Committee, Inc., as they convene to present the Call To Action: Black on Black Violence Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. from October 26th through October 28th which will explore methods to develop an action plan to reduce violence and crime in the urban areas of the country over a three year period.

WHEREAS, Every year America sees over 51,000 deaths as a result of violence. Over 49% of those murdered are Blacks in general and Black males in particular. The U.S. Justice Department that Black victims of homicide are most likely to be male (85%) and between the ages of 17 to 19 years (51%). The medical and productivity-related cost of violence is estimated to exceed $70 billion each year; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the conference is to develop a network of collaborators, communication, and creating some action among participants by sharing innovative ideas and examining various preventive models and strategies that are culturally relevant for the Black community. The conference will focus on alternatives to violence among our young and highlight successful programs, projects, and initiatives that promote new ideas; and

WHEREAS, The goals of the conference are to create a national movement to reduce violence and shooting in the African American communities nationally by twenty-five (25) percent; to study evidence based information and crime prevention programs on Black on Black violence that are found to be effective and disseminate this information to cities across the country; and to create a national network of individuals and groups that are working to eradicate the culture of violence and to follow up on the outcomes of the conference; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Bilal Qayyum founded the Fathers' Day Rally Committee, Inc., (FDRC), an organization of Black men that seeks to promote positive images of the Black male. The Mission of the Father's Day Rally Committee, Inc. is to promote positive action and interaction among individuals to prompt more aggressive hands on action toward resolving a range of problems confronting African Americans communities in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley; and

WHEREAS, Bilal Qayyum, as the president and founder of the Fathers' Day Rally Committee, has worked tirelessly to defuse the senseless bloodshed on city streets that lead to the death of Black men throughout Philadelphia.

Since 1989, the FDRC has been committed to reducing violence in the minority communities affected by a myriad of social ills. Men working together at the grassroots level can launch a meaningful attack on the negative attitude which contributes to the destruction of families and neighborhoods; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby supports Bilal Qayyum and the Fathers Day Rally Committee, Inc., as they convene to present the Call To Action: Black on Black Violence Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. from October 26th through October 28th which will explore methods to develop an action plan to reduce violence and crime in the urban area of the country over a three year period.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Bilal Qayyum and the Fathers' Day Rally Committee, Inc. as evidence of the strong support and sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

Cindy Bass

8th District Council

End