Honoring Eric Brice, Corrie Brown, Michelle Belser, and the Board of Directors of the Oak Lane Youth Association as Heroes of the 9th Council District for their laudable service to the community.

WHEREAS, Every community is comprised of people who dedicate themselves to the betterment of their neighborhoods. Though they do much work in contributing to their communities, they are often unsung and underappreciated. To honor those who sustain our neighborhoods, the Council of the City of Philadelphia applauds these Heroes of the 9th Council District; and

WHEREAS, Eric Brice, a Philadelphia native, is an artist and activist who serves on the Board of Directors for the 35th District Town Watch, Oak Lane Community Action Association, and the Logan Civic Association. For 28 years, Mr. Brice has been a fervent community strategist and civic empowerment advocate; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to providing children - the future of our City - safe and productive spaces for recreation, Corrie Brown serves as President of the Lawncrest Lions. For over 20 years, Mr. Brown has been a leader in promoting youth sports in the areas of football, baseball, cheerleading, and basketball; and

WHEREAS, Michelle Belser is a leader in her neighborhood, working tirelessly to keep her block clean and beautiful. Michelle has been a Block Captain for 100 E. Colonial Street for approximately 15 years and counting. She even came in second place in the City of Philadelphia’s Clean Block Competition in 2021. Michelle has worked tirelessly to help the young and old alike, she regularly works to register her neighbors to vote and participate in elections, and she has ensured her neighborhood’s streets are made safer via paving and traffic calming measures; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the Oak Lane Youth Association (OLYA) - Carlton Williams, LeVan White, Tene Robinson, Dawn Heath Carver, Norma Williams, Greg Boler, Kimberly Jamison and Leon Jones - volunteers their time to ensure that the 350 youth participants of OLYA have fun, engaging programming in football, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, and track and field. The Association was established over 50 years ago in 1971 and is being carried on by a Board that is fastidious in its dedication to serving the youth;

and

WHEREAS, In all that Eric Brice, Corrie Brown, Michelle Belser, and the Board of Directors of the Oak Lane Youth Association do, they further the progress of our City. Dedicated Philadelphians who, through service and excellence, contribute in a meaningful way to the well-being of their communities are integral to the functioning and success of our City. As such, their civic service is much appreciated; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby extend its sincere gratitude to Eric Brice, Corrie Brown, Michelle Belser, and the Board of Directors of the Oak Lane Youth Association for their extraordinary service to our community. We wish them success in the days ahead and extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

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