Title
Formally renaming the Overbrook Park Branch Library located at 7422 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19151, as the Robert A. Brady Library to honor the dedication and service of former United States Congressman and Chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, The Honorable Robert A. Brady.
Body
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia, Robert A. Brady served as a union contractor, until a broken streetlight changed the course of his life. After a local democratic committeeperson would not help him fix that broken streetlight, Brady ran against and defeated him for his seat in the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Brady became the Seargent-at-Arms of the Philadelphia City Council, where he was pivotal in ensuring security and order in the sometimes-raucous City Council Chambers. Eventually, Brady went on to succeed George X. Schwartz and became leader of the City's 34th Democratic Ward, a position that he has held ever since; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, with the backing of then Mayor W. Wilson Goode, Sr., Robert Brady became the Chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, a role where he would cement his legacy over Philadelphia's politics for decades; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Robert Brady announced he was running for Congress and received 71% of the vote in the special election for Pennsylvania's First Congressional District. Throughout his 20 years in the Capitol, Brady was the prime sponsor of 11 bills signed into law and was a co-sponsor for hundreds of others. In addition to his legislative record, the Congressman was instrumental in bringing in $15.5 billion in funds for projects like dredging the Delaware River, the 2016 Democratic National Convention, repairing the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge, and the Philadelphia Navy Yard; and
WHEREAS, During his Congressional career, Brady served as both the Ranking Member and the Chair of the Committee on House Administration, which oversees general administration, security of t...
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