Title
Honoring First District Congressman Robert A. Brady for his lifetime of service to Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The story of Congressman Robert A. Brady is the story of the American Dream; a proud Philadelphia native son, graduate of St. Thomas More High School where he was a dominate football player known for being as warm on the inside as he was tough on the outside. The big kid with the quick smile made friends easily, a skill that serves him to this day; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady was sworn into office on May 21, 1998, and he represents one of the most racially and economically diverse districts in the state of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady is well known for his ability to make friends and forge relationships with people of all colors, ethnicities, incomes, and political philosophies, Bob Brady’s reach and influence can be felt from Philadelphia to Washington; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady, a born diplomat and skilled negotiator, was widely praised as key to the settlement of a labor impasse that threatened to shut down Philadelphia public schools. He was the driving force behind the contract settlements in the 1999 Boeing and WAWA strikes and the 40-day strike by public transit workers in 1998.Whether it is the teachers union, SEPTA, the newspaper guild or Community College; and
WHEREAS, His skills have saved the City from crisis time and again, and saved the taxpayers millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady has secured more than $2 billion in direct federal aid for his District from the beautiful Independence National Historic Park, to the lights that illuminate the Platt Bridge every night; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady secured the designation of the Port of Philadelphia as a strategic military port. That designation means that defense supplies shipping from the east coast will go out of our port, and that the port has preference for federal grants for infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady sponsored the Vocational and Technical Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2001, which establishes a $21 million, three-year vocational and technical pilot program; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Congressman Robert A. Brady’s Emergency Response Disease Protection Act provides funding for an investigation of the work-related pathways for transmission of Hepatitis C among firefighters and other first responders; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady twice honored as a “Friend of the National Parks” by the National Parks Conservation Association, Brady’s voting record in congress has consistently earned a 100 percent rating from the NAACP, the ACLU, ACORN, and every civil rights and human rights organization that scores Congress. At the same time, he has consistently earned a 0 percent rating from the National Rifle Association; and
WHEREAS, In March of this year, Congressman Brady was named Chairman of the House Administration Committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a position affectionately known as “The Mayor Of Capitol Hill.” Speaker Pelosi praised Congressman Brady’s leadership and keen intellect; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady has one of the best voting records in the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady who is known as “Bob” to everyone from world leaders to taxi drivers, has become one of Philadelphia’s best-known and most beloved native sons; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Robert A. Brady, equally comfortable at a White House dinner or a Fairmount Park barbecue, is the embodiment of all that is best about Philadelphians: our endless drive, our indomitable spirit, our infinite compassion, our unique sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, The essence of Congressman Robert A. Brady is that he exudes love, compassion and concern for all people; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council honors First District Congressman Robert A. Brady for his lifetime of service to Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That and Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Robert A. Brady as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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