WHEREAS, The iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway - modeled from the Champs-Élysées in Paris - recently celebrated its 100th birthday in 2018; and
WHEREAS, The mile-long strip is home to Philadelphia’s most renowned public parks, museums, and cultural centers; and
WHEREAS, Tourists from around the world visit the Parkway and the accompanying powerhouse of cultural attractions each year; and
WHEREAS, In 1976 - as part of the bicentennial celebration - the City of Philadelphia installed ninety international flags alongside the Parkway; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, nineteen additional nations - Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, El Salvador, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Senegal, Tanzania, and Trinidad and Tobago - were recognized and added to the “Flags of Nations” display; and
WHEREAS, The flag raisings were a point of pride for the various immigrant communities that call Philadelphia home; and
WHEREAS, Some nations, however, remained omitted from the display and continue to appeal for their inclusion. Among them includes the Republic of Azerbaijan; and
WHEREAS, Azerbaijan is a diplomatic and economic partner of the United States with a growing number of immigrants residing in the Philadelphia region; and
WHEREAS, The Office of City Representative - responsible for the display of flags - should update the Parkway display to include the flag of Azerbaijan in recognition of the proud and vibrant Azerbaijani American community in Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it herby calls on the City of Philadelphia to include the flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the display of international flags along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
End