Title
Honoring and recognizing the life and legacy of Malik Aziz for his towering achievements as a civic leader, trailblazer, and champion for returning citizens in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The late Malik Aziz, a tireless fighter for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised, dedicated his life to causes of criminal justice reform, anti-violence, and social justice; and
WHEREAS, A native of Roxborough, Aziz became the Executive Director of the City's Office of Reentry under Mayor John Street in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Aziz himself was incarcerated in the 1990s and during that time co-founded Ex-Offenders Inc., a program for inmates devoted to self-transformation; and
WHEREAS, The program assembled formerly incarcerated citizens to travel across Philadelphia to encourage younger generations to stay on the right path and off the streets; and
WHEREAS, As Executive Director of the Office of Reentry, Aziz was a plaintiff in the successful federal lawsuit to restore voting rights for those that had been previously convicted of a felony in the state of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The court ruling made Pennsylvania one of only 17 states to grant former felons the right to vote upon the completion of their sentence; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Aziz founded the grassroots organization, Men United for a Better Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The organization worked to reduce violence and crime in the City's most underserved neighborhoods and connect communities with job and mentorship opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Aziz was also involved in the National Exhoodus Council where he worked on reentry reforms with civic leaders from cities across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Aziz highlighted the work of his fellow community leaders with the "Guiding Light in the Community" award in honor of his mentor, former Philadelphia Congressman Lucien Blackwell; and
WHEREAS, Aziz's trailblazing work on behalf of returning citizens and underserved communities will inspire community leade...
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