WHEREAS, Sheila Oliver is an African American politician that has served as an Assemblywoman in the New Jersey General Assembly for thirteen years. First elected in 2004, Oliver has represented the 34th Legislative District as a Member of the Democratic Party; and
WHEREAS, Oliver was born in Newark, New Jersey where she attended the local public high school. After graduating high school, she attended Lincoln University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1976, she was awarded a Master of Science in Planning and Administration from Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, In the beginning of her career, Oliver served on the East Orange Board of Education from 1994-2000. Oliver was selected to be the Vice President, then served as Acting-President for the last six years of her time on the Board; and
WHEREAS, During her career, Oliver has tackled many important community issues, such as low-income housing. Oliver co-founded the Newark Coalition for Low Income Housing, an organization that was prosperous in suing the Newark Housing Authority for demolishing subsidized low-income housing in the City of Newark without a plan of replacement; and
WHEREAS, Sheila Oliver joined the New Jersey State Assembly in 2004. Along with one other Assemblyperson, Oliver was selected to be the party endorsed candidate in the 2003 primary election. Successfully, she has been re-elected every two years since 2003; and
WHEREAS, Sheila Oliver made history on Tuesday November 7, 2017, becoming the first black Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors
Sheila Oliver for being elected as the first African American Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Sheila Oliver as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End