WHEREAS, Jimmy Tayoun was born on March 27, 1930, the son of a Lebanese Immigrant. He was raised in Philadelphia and received his Journalism Degree from Temple University; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Tayoun spent the first 19 years of his career in the newspaper business, including a turn as a sportswriter for the Philadelphia Daily News and for military publications while he served in Korea from 1953 to 1955; and
WHEREAS, In 1968 Jimmy Tayoun was elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 183th Legislative District, and was subsequently re-elected to serve two additional terms in 1972 and 1974; and
WHEREAS, In 1976 Jimmy Tayoun resigned from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and won a special election for Philadelphia City Council, where he served from 1976-1984 and 1988-1992, representing the 1st District; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Tayoun resigned from his second term in City Council after pleading guilty to corruption charges, spending 40 months in prison and
writing a book with practical advice for those on their way to prison;
and
WHEREAS, Upon his release, Jimmy Tayoun reinvented himself as founder of
The Public Record
, a weekly newspaper that chronicled local politics in Philadelphia, serving as its editor, publisher, and photographer; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Tayoun and his brother Ed also ran the Middle East Restaurant in South Philadelphia and then Old City from 1958 to 1996; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Tayoun served in every corner of local politics during his long career, and is best remembered for his colorful and engaging character, eagerness to give advice and help those in need, and great love and affection for Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors the life and legacy of James “Jimmy” Tayoun Sr., who passed away on November 1, 2017 at the age of 87.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James Tayoun as further evidence of the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
End