Title
Congratulating Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker on her historic appointment as Board Chair of the Delaware River Port Authority (“DRPA”) and honoring her work as a board member and trailblazing leader in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, In February of 2021, Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker was appointed Board Chair of the DRPA. Parker is the first woman and the first African-American woman to chair this influential board in its nearly seven decade history; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Parker now heads an organization which controls Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s four river-spanning bridges and the PATCO High Speedline. The DRPA manages an annual budget of $305 million, a five-year capital budget of $845 million, employs close to one thousand people and makes all key decisions regarding the infrastructure spanning the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The DRPA is integral to the economy of the region; and
WHEREAS, DRPA board members are appointed by the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The sixteen members unanimously elected Councilmember Parker, not then a current board member, to Board Chair; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Parker has a long record of distinguished service to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Prior to her election to Philadelphia City Council in 2015, Parker served ten years as a State Representative in the Pennsylvania State House. In another historic first, she was the youngest Black woman ever elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She was twice elected to head the Philadelphia Delegation; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Parker is a lifelong Philadelphian and a proud graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls as well as Lincoln University and the University of Pennsylvania. Her tireless work on behalf of Philadelphia’s workers and “Middle Neighborhoods” has helped create more economic security and neighborhood revitalization both in her district and across the City; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia appointed Councilmember Parker Majority Leader in 2020. Her leadership in this role consistently aids in building coalitions to enact important legislation improving the lives of Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Parker’s service as Board Chair of the DRPA is sure to be another role in which her talents will shine and her colleagues on Council look forward to her achievements in this new, history-making position; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council of Philadelphia, Hereby congratulates Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker on her historic appointment as Board Chair of the Delaware River Port Authority (“DRPA”) and honors her work as a board member and trailblazing leader in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End