Title
Celebrating and Honoring the Life and Legacy of Tommie W. St. Hill, Sr. for his for his activism, civic engagement and service to the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Tommie W. St. Hill, Sr. was born on June 24, 1952, a native son of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Mr. St. Hill attended Jefferson Elementary School, Penn Treaty Junior High, and Benjamin Franklin High School. After obtaining his diploma he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a scout sniper and was awarded a Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, After being honorably discharged, Mr. St. Hill enrolled at the Community College of Philadelphia, where he obtained an Associate's Degree, and immediately matriculated to Temple University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Journalism. During his time at Temple University, Mr. St. Hill hosted a university radio show, covering the injustices of the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. St. Hill embarked on a career in journalism, starting as a reporter for the Philadelphia Journal, and later as an investigative beat reporter at the Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest African-American newspaper in the United States. Mr. St. Hill's investigative reporting included hard-hitting stories affecting Philadelphia culminating in his award-winning series on the Philadelphia Junior Black Mafia and the MOVE organization. Mr. St. Hill's activism extended beyond the stories he reported, however, as he played a major role in the unionization of the Tribune's workforce. It was also at the Tribune that Mr. St. Hill developed a special bond with then Councilmember Lucien E. Blackwell; and
WHEREAS, Mr. St. Hill continued to serve the residents of Philadelphia and United States in his role as the Director of Communications and Special Advisor to Lucien E. Blackwell when he successfully ran for Congress. Mr. St. Hill and Congressman Blackwell remained close friends and confidants until his passing in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Follow...
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