Title
Honoring and Celebrating Philadelphia's own living local legends, Judge Doris Smith-Ribner, Action News Sports Anchor Keith Russell and Ms. Gerri H. Walker on the occasion of Black History Month.
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WHEREAS, Black History Month is an annual celebration of important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora, instilling in African Americans, a sense of tradition, knowledge of self and a link to African culture; and
WHEREAS, As we acknowledge our ancestors during this month of reflection, it is equally important to honor and celebrate those amongst us that are laying the foundation for the next generation. Philadelphia has always played a prominent role in African American history and Judge Doris Smith-Ribner, Action News Sports Anchor Keith Russell and Ms. Gerri H. Walker add to this great legacy of African American excellence; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith-Ribner practiced law in Allegheny County for over twelve years, served as Solicitor for five years to the Allegheny county Controller and has launched three successful elections to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. She was selected as a member of the Pennsylvania Judicial auditing Agency in 1991 and also served as its Chairperson from 1999 through 2004. Judge Smith-Ribner also developed a successful Commonwealth Court statewide mediation program which is now in its sixth year operation; and
WHEREAS, Keith Russell, has returned to his hometown of Philadelphia after graduating from Morgan State University in 1995 with a BA in Telecommunications, becoming a sportscaster in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi and in Bristol, Connecticut for ESPN. Currently, Mr. Russell is the sports anchor for Channel 6 Action News where he has brought an outside the box delivery and non-stop creativity to his viewers. He has interviewed everyone from Bill Cosby to Dr. J. Born and raised in the West Oaklane section of Philadelphia and a graduate of the 250th class of Central High S...
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