City of Philadelphia - File #: 260747

• File #: 260747
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: IN COUNCIL - FINAL PASSAGE
• File created: 9/17/2026
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Title: Urging the United States Congress to support and enact the Ahmad Butler Pediatric Cancer HOPE for a Cure Act and calling for federal action to recognize and respond to pediatric cancer with national emergency-level urgency while also calling upon the President of the United States to consider declaring a national emergency concerning pediatric cancer under the National Emergencies Act.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Squilla, Council President Johnson, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Thomas, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Ahmad

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
9/17/2026	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar

Title
Urging the United States Congress to support and enact the Ahmad Butler Pediatric Cancer HOPE for a Cure Act and calling for federal action to recognize and respond to pediatric cancer with national emergency-level urgency while also calling upon the President of the United States to consider declaring a national emergency concerning pediatric cancer under the National Emergencies Act.

Body
WHEREAS, Pediatric cancer remains a leading cause of death from disease among children in the United States, and while advances have improved outcomes for some childhood cancers, children with certain rare, aggressive, recurrent, and treatment-resistant cancers continue to face limited treatment options and devastating outcomes; and

WHEREAS, Pediatric cancer encompasses many distinct diseases requiring dedicated research, and breakthroughs in one pediatric cancer may generate scientific discoveries, technologies, and treatment strategies that advance the fight against others, making the pursuit of cures and safer, less toxic treatments an urgent national priority; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to world-renowned pediatric cancer treatment and research institutions and has helped advance innovative therapies, positioning the City to advocate for greater national investment in pediatric cancer research, treatment, clinical trials, and cures; and

WHEREAS, The Forever Captain Poodaman, and the Ahmad Butler Foundation, doing business as the Ahmad Butler Foundation, was founded in honor of Ahmad “Captain Poodaman” Butler, the late grandson of its founder, whose life and legacy inspire its mission to support children battling pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases and advocate for children and families; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Ahmad Butler Pediatric Cancer HOPE for a Cure Act seeks a sustained federal response that includes increased pediatric cancer research investment, accelerated pursuit of cures and safer treatments, expanded clinical-trial acce...