Title
Honoring the life and legacy of John Izzard, Jr., one of the first Black members of Philadelphia's rowing community and the first Black captain of the Undine Barge Club.
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WHEREAS, John Izzard, Jr. was raised in North Philadelphia, pursued his undergraduate education at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, and earned a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University; and
WHEREAS, In order to help young Philadelphia residents succeed, Izzard worked as the physical education director of the YMCA of Greater Philadelphia, a probation/parole officer for the City of Philadelphia, a youth counselor for the Philadelphia Youth Development Center of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and as an educator for Philadelphia public schools; and
WHEREAS, Izzard participated in a wide range of athletic activities, including skiing, canoeing, SCUBA diving, windsurfing, sailing, cycling, swimming, track & field, martial arts, and paddle boarding; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Izzard, having never rowed before, joined the Undine Barge Club after losing a bet that he could not stay afloat in a racing single boat; and
WHEREAS, After persevering against racism from other rowing clubs, Izzard was elected a full voting member of Undine in 1978; and
WHEREAS, Izzard was appointed Captain of Undine in 2007, becoming the first Black person to hold the position in any of the clubs of the Schuylkill Navy; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, the prestigious John Izzard Athleticism, Service & Achievement Award was created and is presented to student rowers who epitomize Izzard's qualities of athleticism, scholarship, and service; and
WHEREAS, Izzard died on September 9, 2022. He is survived by his wife and fellow rower of thirty-three years, Parthenia Izzard; and
WHEREAS, John Izzard, Jr. was a selfless community advocate, dedicated athlete, and relentless trailblazer whose legacy should be honored and commemorated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Th...
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