Title
Renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the West Oak Lane Library, located at 2000 East Washington Lane, as the "Dwight Evans Library of West Oak Lane" in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
Whereas, Dwight Evans was born on May 16, 1954, in Philadelphia and raised in the Germantown and West Oak Lane sections. Dwight attended Philadelphia public schools and graduated from Germantown High School in 1971; and
Whereas, Dwight's unwavering commitment to education led him to the Community College of Philadelphia, and later, he graduated from La Salle University. His academic journey is a testament to the value of education in our community. He answered the call to public service and began teaching in Philadelphia's public schools; and
Whereas, Furthering his resolve for public service, Dwight joined the Urban League and became a community activist, working tirelessly to stop blight and lower crime in his neighborhood. His efforts, driven by a deep-rooted love for his community, have left a lasting impact on the lives of his neighbors; and
Whereas, In a remarkable display of aspiration and inspiration, Dwight was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1980, at the young age of 26. He dedicated himself to urban renewal and worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of the poor and underserved were heard. His efforts were focused on providing a high quality of life for working-class neighborhoods in Northwest; and
Whereas, Dwight's pioneering work led him to become the first African-American Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, an historic achievement. He served in this position for 20 years and played a vital role in securing funding for various initiatives in Philadelphia, including those related to economic development, job training, education, and public transit; and
Whereas, Dwight's decades of service and transformative leadership led him to be elected to the United States House of Representatives in 201...
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