Calling for the City Council Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings investigating the feasibility of opening the outer lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to install more flags and increase the number of countries that are represented.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia's diagonal Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretches one mile from just beyond City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the edge of Fairmount Park, acting as the home to museums, cultural institutions and other attractions. The Parkway is designed with outer and inner lanes. Currently, there are international flags housed on both sides of the inner lanes; and

WHEREAS, The tradition of displaying flags of many countries on the Parkway began in 1976 as a part of the bicentennial celebration. At the time, 90 different international flags were installed on the Parkway; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, 19 additional countries were recognized with installation of their flags along the Parkway, bringing the total to 109; and

WHEREAS, The flags represent countries with significant populations in Philadelphia, and are hung alphabetically, with a few exceptions; and

WHEREAS, There are currently a total of 195 nations in the world, 193 of which are recognized by the UN, all of which have flag of their own and deserve representation in this City; and

WHEREAS, Having one’s flag displayed on the Parkway is an honor and is a source of pride for many immigrants who live in our City. Every person should be able to find their country’s flag when they look for it as the heritage of every country is equally important; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia, the home of brotherly love and sisterly affection, is also known as a multicultural city that is friendly and accepting of people from all over the world. If we have the ability to have more countries represented on the Parkway, then we should do so without fail; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council Committee on Streets and Services hold hearings investigating the feasibility of opening the outer lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to install more flags and increase the number of countries that are represented.

End