Urging the Philadelphia Parking Authority to recognize November 11th as a Non-Ticketing Day in recognition of the Veterans Day Holiday.

WHEREAS, Veterans Day is annually celebrated on November 11th, the Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which ended the hostilities of World War I between the Allied Nations and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918; and

WHEREAS, On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated, with President Woodrow Wilson proclaiming: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations”; and

WHEREAS, In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the Armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving; and

WHEREAS, On May 13, 1938, the United States Congress enacted a law making November 11th of each year a legal holiday known as Armistice Day to be dedicated to “the cause of world peace” and to honor veterans who died in World War I; and

WHEREAS, In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks proposed and advocated for an expansion of Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. On June 1, 1954, the United States Congress changed the name of the holiday from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day” and expanded it to honor all veterans, living and dead, wherever and whenever they served; and

WHEREAS, Our veterans have served us bravely and well throughout the history of the United States, risking – and often sacrificing – their lives to protect our lives, our property and our freedom, and they deserve our greatest gratitude and highest respect; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Parking Authority already does not enforce meter parking on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day; and

WHEREAS, Numerous veterans organizations host annual ceremonies and activities honoring veterans on November 11, and parking meter enforcement should not encumber Philadelphians’ abilities to honor those who have made sacrifices in service to the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby urges the Philadelphia Parking Authority to recognize the Veterans Day holiday as a non-ticketing day.

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