Honoring the extensive history of collaborative organization, overcoming adversity and community service of Club Valiants, Inc.-an integral part of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF)-and Morgan Miller, President and first paramedic in the history of the organization to serve as President-elect of the Valiants.

WHEREAS, Valiants, Inc. was established in 1962 during a period of intense racism in American history only ten (10) years after the desegregation of Philadelphia firehouses and two (2) years before the monumental Civil Rights Act of 1964; and

WHEREAS, Valiants, Inc. was part of a class action suit correcting institutional injustices where Black firefighters were ignored, ostracized, abused and discriminated against in hiring and promotion; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, Valiants, Inc. was one of five Black, regional firefighter organizations that created the IABPFF, an entity that supports its members and communities across the country; and

WHEREAS, The current president of the Valiants, Morgan Miller, is the first paramedic to hold a seat on the executive board, having served for 17 years as a Fire Service Paramedic while teaching for 16 years at the Philadelphia Fire Academy; and

WHEREAS, Morgan Miller is the youngest president in Valiants history; and

WHEREAS, Under President Miller's leadership the Valiants has experienced an increase in membership, opened its facilities to the community and increased community service by conducting a coat-drive which donated over 200 coats to those in need, and a back-to-school drive that contributed 200 book bags filled with school supplies to children from low income families in the community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize, honor, and celebrate the outstanding influence and noble work of Club Valiants, Inc. and the groundbreaking achievements of President Morgan Miller.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to Morgan Miller and Club Valiants, Inc. as proof of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.

End