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Honoring the historic and trailblazing leaders of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Philadelphia House Delegation; Joanna McClinton, Jordan Harris, Morgan Cephas, Danilo Burgos, and Malcolm Kenyatta.
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WHEREAS, After the November 8, 2022, elections, The Democratic Party took control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the first time since 2010; and
WHEREAS, State Representative, Joanna McClinton represents the 191st Legislative District which is comprised of both Delaware and Philadelphia counties. Representative McClinton is set to become Speaker of the PA House of Representatives, the first woman and the first black woman to hold that role. She is the first woman to serve as House Democratic Leader, the first woman to serve as Majority Leader, and the first female House Democratic Caucus Chair. Prior to her service in the General Assembly, Rep. McClinton studied political science as well as leadership in global understanding at La Salle University and earned her law degree from Villanova University. After graduating, she worked as an Assistant Defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia for seven years, rising to be the Asst. Chief of East Zone, and then became Chief Counsel to State Senator Anthony H. Williams where she crafted his legislative agenda; and
WHEREAS, State Representative Jordan Harris represents the 186th Legislative District which is comprised of Grays Ferry and Point Breeze. Prior to being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Harris focused on his passion for helping children and young adults as he was appointed as the Executive Director of Philadelphia's Youth Commission where he advised the Mayor, City Council and other key decision-makers on issues relating to the city's youth and young adults. After graduating from Philadelphia’s John Bartram Motivation High School, Harris earned his bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in Government and Political Affairs. He also holds a master’s degree in Education from Cabrini College and is currently a Doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Neumann University. Harris has been instrumental in the work against gun violence in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Representative Harris also championed a crackdown on nuisance businesses, known as “stop and gos” in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. Harris is currently President of the Board of Directors at Lincoln Day Educational Center, the oldest continuously operating African American Day School in the country. Harris currently serves as a member of the Council of Trustees at his alma mater - Millersville University. He serves as a Member of the Board of the Hardy Williams Education Fund, the Christian Street YMCA, and the Knight Foundation. He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Nu Sigma Chapter and Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons Cephas Lodge #98; and
WHEREAS, State Representative Morgan Cephas represents the 192nd Legislative District, which is comprised of the Wynnefield, Overbrook, and Cobbs Creek neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Rep. Cephas was selected to serve as Chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation beginning in 2023. During her time in the General Assembly, she has championed legislation to reduce maternal mortality, increase financial relief for childcare, and has secured over $21 million in state funds to improve local schools, parks, businesses, and libraries as well as to jumpstart community development projects throughout her district. Before her service in the House, she graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in political science and worked in city government. While serving as Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.’s Deputy Chief of Staff, she secured over $3 million to revitalize area commercial corridors and oversaw $6 million of improvements to upgrade recreation centers; and
WHEREAS, State Representative Danilo Burgos represents the 197th Legislative District, which is comprised of the Kensington, Hunting Park, Glenwood, and Feltonville neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Representative Burgos was selected to serve as Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation. During his time in the House, he has worked to improve public education, increase job training, reduce unemployment, and promote small business development in his district. He has also made it his mission to reduce recidivism and provide a pathway to returning citizens so they can improve their communities. Prior to his service as a State Representative, he served as the Director of Zoning and Business Development for former Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez where he worked to expand St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Allegheny General Hospital, as well as Director of Constituent Service for former Councilmember Allan Domb; and
WHEREAS, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta represents the 181st Legislative District, which encompasses parts of Center City and North Philadelphia. Representative Kenyatta will serve as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Philadelphia House Delegation. He is the first LGBTQ+ person of color to serve in the PA House of Representatives and is the first openly LGBTQ+ individual to serve in a leadership position with the Philadelphia Delegation. During his time in the General Assembly, he has championed proposals to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage, and protect workers' rights. Representative Kenyatta is one of the youngest members of the House and prior to his time there, he graduated from the Philadelphia Public School System, Temple University, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. He recently earned a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from Drexel University, and he served as a Delegate to the Democratic Convention in 2016 and 2020; and
WHEREAS, Each of these distinguished leaders have served their communities with distinction and their historic trailblazing leadership selections deserve to be honored and recognized; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors the historic and trailblazing leaders of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Philadelphia House Delegation, Joanna McClinton, Jordan Harris, Morgan Cephas, Danilo Burgos, and Malcolm Kenyatta.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to these trailblazing leaders as a sign of the admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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