Title
Honoring the Partners For Civic Pride, Inc. for their diligent efforts on spreading the history and pride of the Philadelphia Civic Flag and marking the 125th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Civic Flag by recognizing March 27, 2020 as Philadelphia Civic Flag Day.
Body
WHEREAS, March 27, 2020 marks the 125th Anniversary of the first official City flag in America. Designed by the Reverend Dr. Henry C. McCook as a unifying symbol of Pride Of Place; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s universal reputation as “the City of Brotherly Love” was borne from the original slogan, displayed in Latin on our City flag’s emblem, “Philadelphia Maneto” or “Let Brotherly Love Continue”; and
WHEREAS, Philly Flag Fest 2020 will take place from Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th with several planned events throughout the City. Staring with a press conference at the Art Museum where the Historic 1895 Depiction of the Philly Flag will be ceremoniously raised. This Press Conference will also be used as a “Call to all citizens” to come out and unite together in the CITIZENS’ PHILADELPHIA MANETO MARCH and PARADE which will take place on Saturday, March 28th; and
WHEREAS, The CITIZENS’ PHILADELPHIA MANETO MARCH and PARADE will begin with participants gathering at Logan Circle at 10 am The Parade starts at 11 am The March will end at Thomas Paine Plaza where the 125th Anniversary Philly Flag-Raising Ceremony will take place from 12 Noon to 1:00 pm - followed by a “Philly Flag” DJ Dance Party on the Plaza until 4 pm; and
WHEREAS, Seven (7) outstanding Philadelphia Youth will be honored with the PHILADELPHIA MANETO AWARDS (as described above). These seven individuals have taken a stance against Gun Violence, each, in their own impactful ways, to help make Philadelphia a more peaceful, hopeful, just and prosperous city to call home. A significant part of the Flag-Raising celebration, is the presentation of the four (4) PHILADELPHIA MANETO AWARDS that are awarded for the four Principles displayed upon our Philly Flag: Peace, Hope, Justice and Prosperity; and
WHEREAS, There will be the unveiling of the 125th Anniversary Plaque that honors the first City Flag in the nation and “My Pledge To Philadelphia” written by Partners For Civic Pride Co-Founder, Will Smith Sr. (1939 - 2016). The Gift Line will read “A Gift to the City from Partners For Civic Pride & The H. Chase Lenfest Family”. A citation will be presented to H. Chase Lenfest as a token of our appreciation as the Title Sponsor Of PHILLY FLAG FEST 2020, giving a major donation to insure a celebration would take place to honor both the first City Flag and, even more importantly to Chase, the Philadelphia Maneto Message, displayed upon its Crest, reminding ALL of us to do our best to live up to it! Chase Lenfest, like his father, Gerry, sees the power of this city flag as a “unifying symbol” to connect all Citizens in a spirit of Good Will, while promoting Pride Of Place; and
WHEREAS, This Philly Flag Fest will be the first time that the 1895 HISTORIC IMAGE of the original Philadelphia Flag will be seen and in use on all Event Flags! James Mundy, Historian, has verified the image, with help from PFCP. Metropolitan Flag & Banner did the painstaking task of creating the first VECTOR file of the image, in time for this event! Free Historic Flags will be given to all Marchers (while they last!); and
WHEREAS, The weekend’s events will conclude Sunday, March 29TH with a talk given at the Woodlands Mansion and Cemetery by historian James Mundy where the Rev. Dr. Henry C. McCook is buried. McCook’s historic Philadelphia Flag will be ceremoniously placed at the site of his monumental gravestone. A beautiful way to end Philly Flag Fest 2020; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the Partners For Civic Pride, Inc. for their diligent efforts on spreading the history and pride of the Philadelphia Civic Flag and marking the 125th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Civic Flag by recognizing March 27, 2020 as Philadelphia Civic Flag Day.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to James Mundy, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End