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Honoring and celebrating the extraordinary life of Alfred L. Dezzi and his invaluable contributions to public service, environmental policy, criminal justice reform, and education, and expressing deep gratitude for his enduring impact on the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Alfred Louis Dezzi, a devoted public servant, policy innovator, writer, educator, and mentor, passed away on December 26, at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dezzi served in City government for two decades, from 1977 to 1997, under four Philadelphia Mayors, demonstrating unwavering commitment to public administration, criminal justice, emergency management, and financial policy, always striving to improve the lives of the City’s residents; and
WHEREAS, His leadership as the Deputy Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission and later as Assistant Managing Director of Philadelphia exemplified his dedication to fairness, efficiency, and reform in municipal governance; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dezzi’s groundbreaking work in environmental sustainability as Philadelphia’s first recycling coordinator and Deputy Streets Commissioner transformed a controversial initiative into one of the most successful and recognized municipal recycling programs in the nation, setting a model for cities across the country; and
WHEREAS, He expanded Philadelphia’s recycling program from collecting 74 tons of recyclables daily in 1988 to 193 tons daily in 1994, earning recognition from the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors and proving that environmental stewardship and economic efficiency can coexist; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dezzi further extended his expertise and leadership as the Director of Policy and Planning for the Pennsylvania Auditor General’s Office and as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Pennsylvania State Treasurer’s Office, where he continued his mission of ensuring responsible governance and fiscal accountability; and
WHEREAS, As a professor and lecturer at Temple University, Community College of Philadelphia, La Salle University, and the University of Pennsylvania, he educated and inspired countless students in the fields of criminal justice, social welfare, and public administration, leaving a lasting imprint on future generations of public servants; and
WHEREAS, His writings, whether in editorial publications or policy papers, consistently reflected his deep understanding of governance, social change, and civic responsibility, further amplifying his influence beyond his immediate professional roles; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA Honors and celebrates the extraordinary life of Alfred L. Dezzi, recognizing his invaluable contributions to public service, environmental policy, criminal justice reform, and education, and expressing our deepest gratitude for his enduring impact on the City of Philadelphia and beyond.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to his family as a testament to the profound respect and admiration felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him and benefiting from his leadership.
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