Title
Recognizing and honoring the Father’s Day Rally Committee for hosting a National Black Violence Conference in Philadelphia from October 21, 2016 to October 22, 2016, to address an increase in violent crimes in African-American communities across the country.
Body
WHEREAS, On the heels of a recent report released by the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics reporting an increase in violent crimes in African-American communities across the country, the Father’s Day Rally Committee (FDRC), a Philadelphia based non-profit organization that addresses the social ills affecting African-American men, will host a National Black Violence Conference in Philadelphia from Friday, October 21, 2016 to Saturday, October 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The conference will take place at Audenried High School, which is located at 3301 Tasker Street. The opening ceremony begins Friday, October 21, 2016 at 4:30 p.m., where Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., Chair of City Council’s Public Safety Committee, along with Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, will offer welcoming remarks. The opening ceremony will also include a panel of national experts discussing best practices for reducing violence. The formal sessions, discussing a wide range of issues including family values, violent trauma, and youth violence, will occur on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, The list of national experts presenting at the National Black Violence Conference include Dr. Elijah Anderson of Yale University, Secretary John E. Wetzel of Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections, Robert Woodson, Sr. of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, Tio Hardiman of Violence Interrupters, Erica Ford of Life Camp, Andrews Woods of Communities That Care, Steven “Coach” Lynn, Captain Dennis Muhammad of Peacekeeper, Rev. Tom Watson of Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, and Chandra Pitts of I Am One Village. These experts represent cities from across the nation, including Washington, D.C., New York, NY, Wilmington, DE, New Orleans, LA and Hartford, CT; and
WHEREAS, The National Black Violence Conference is geared towards community organizers and urban policy practitioners and will focus on improving the life chances for African-Americans. Participants at the conference will include community violence and crime prevention advocates, leaders of anti-violence groups, criminal justice and social service practitioners, local and state government leaders, youth leaders, school officials, mental health and substance abuse workers, and faith-based leaders; and
WHEREAS, It has been documented by the Department of Justice that African-American victims of homicide are most likely to be male and between the ages of 17-19. In highly populated areas, homicides against African-Americans are more likely to occur than those against Caucasians. African-American homicide victims in 2014 accounted for 49% of all homicides committed across the country; and
WHEREAS, The National Black Violence Conference is dedicated to exploring methods that result in an action plan to reduce violence and crime in urban areas across the country over a three year period. Another goal of the conference is to develop a network of collaborators, sharing innovative ideas and examining various preventative models and strategies that are culturally relevant for the African-American community. The conference will also focus on alternatives to violence among our young, and highlight successful programs, projects, and initiatives that promote new ideas; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and honors the Father’s Day Rally Committee for hosting a National Black Violence Conference in Philadelphia from October 21, 2016 to October 22, 2016, to address an increase in violent crimes in African-American communities across the country.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Father’s Day Rally Committee as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End