philadelphia daily record
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Philadelphia Daily RecordTRANSCRIPT
PHILADELPHIANS, like all Americans, will note 10th anniversary of Sep. 11 at-
tack this Sunday. A day-long series of commemorations will occur at National
Constitution Center. See story page 3.
PhiladelphiaDaily Record
Vol. II No. 136 (296) Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia September 9, 2011
WeRemember
2 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 9 SEPTEMBER, 2011
T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a P u b l i c R e c o r d C a l e n d a rSep. 15-
Senior Fair sponsored by State
Rep. Brendan F. Boyle at Klein
JCC, 1100 Jamison Ave., 11 a.m.-
2 p.m. For info (215) 342-1700.
Sep. 15-
President John McNesby and FOP
Lodge 5 host City Council candi-
dates at 1336 Spring Garden St.,
5:30 p.m. By invitation.
Sep. 15-
Mario Lanza Institute & Museum
will be beneficiary of 3-tenor con-
cert featuring Viktor Antipenko,
Luigi Boccia and Maurice El Zein
at Settlement Music Sch., 416
Queen St., 7 p.m. Ticket $25. For
info (215) 238-9691.
Sep. 16-
11th Ward Fish Fry at Lou &
Choo’s, 21st & Hunting Pk. Ave.,
5-9 p.m. Tickets $10. For info V.
Tutie Edwards (215) 228-3134.
Sep. 16-
Fundraiser for Bill Rubin, Demo-
crat candidate for City Council
10th Dist., at Ashburner Tavern,
8400 Torresdale Ave., 5-8 p.m.
Tickets $25. For info Ed Mc-
Mullin (215) 510-0444.
Sep. 17-
Ward Leader John Sabatina hosts
Fall Picnic, in conjunction with
Democrat Wards 35, 53, 55, and
63 at Burholme Pk., Central Ave.,
from 1:30 p.m. $35 donation.
Sep. 17-
Autism Beef & Beer Fundraiser at
EOM Club, 138 Moore St., 7-11
p.m. 50/50 raffles, silent auction.
Tickets $30. Call Mina Deever
(215) 427-1133 or email cjde-
Sep. 18-
Korean Folk Festival for Children
at John Russell Field, 7420 Pen-
rose Ave., Elkins Pk., Pa. 1-5 p.m.
Free. For info (215) 884-8443.
Sep. 18-
Northeast High School 62nd Re-
union Brunch for January/June 49
classes brunch at Crowne Plaza
Hotel, Trevose, from 10 a.m. to 2
.m. For info call Jay Silver at 215-
698-1556 or Phil Klear at 856-
985-5811.
Sep. 20-
Republican S. Jersey Coalition
hosts candidates forum Sep. 20 at
6:30 p.m. at N.E. Sheraton, 9461
Roosevelt Blvd. Confirmed candi-
dates include Karen Brown for
Mayor, Al Schmidt for City Com-
missioner and David Oh for
Council at Large. Free for mem-
bers and $20 for “e-team and non-
members”. For info (610)
667-1263.
Sep. 24-
Fundraiser for Frank Talent at
World Gym, Haldeman Ave. &
Roosevelt Blvd., 7:30-9 p.m.
Wrestling matches. Meet Frank
himself. Donation $25. For info
Marvin Barrish (215) 342-7020.
Sep. 25-
Vendemmia Wine & Food Festi-
val, Girard Park, 21st & Porter
Sts., 2-7 p.m. supporting Students
of Italian heritage in S. Phila. For
info
www.vendemmifoundation.org.
Sep. 26-
Spirit of Life Award Reception
hosted by Tri State Labor &
Mgmt. Council honor AFL-CIO
President Richard W. Blooming-
dale and Edward J. Radetich, Jr.,
CPA and Kyler Award honoree
Penna. AFT President Ted Kirsch
at Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Land-
ing, Columbus Blvd. & Dock St.,
6-9 p.m.
Translation/InterpretationArabic, Hebrew, English, French
For more information, call William Hanna
267-808-0287
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Philadelphia PA 19148
215-468-5363
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Uno Panini Grill $39.99
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25 AUGUST, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 3
On the 10th anniversary of the Sep.
11 terrorist attacks, the National
Constitution Center will unite with
a coalition of leaders from the City
of Philadelphia, the Religious
Leaders Council of Greater
Philadelphia, the Interfaith Center
of Greater Philadelphia, and other
community groups for a city-wide
commemoration that fosters an at-
mosphere of mutual respect and
dignity across lines of religious,
ethnic and socioeconomic diver-
sity.
The Center will open early at 9:30
a.m. on Sunday, Sep. 11, and ad-
mission will be free to first respon-
ders (fire, police and emergency
medical personnel).
A public commemoration on Inde-
pendence Mall led by Mayor
Michael Nutter and National Con-
stitution Center President & CEO
David Eisner begins at 5:30 p.m.
The Center’s 9/11 commemoration
activities and exhibitions include
“Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear
and Freedom in America.” It costs
$15 for adults, $14 for seniors
(ages 65 and up) and students, and
$11 for children (ages 4-12). Ac-
tive military personnel and chil-
dren ages 3 and under are free.
Group rates also are available.
Created by the International Spy
Museum, this exhibit dramatically
illustrates the challenge of secur-
ing our nation without compromis-
ing the civil liberties upon which it
was founded. Visitors will have the
chance to see 9/11 artifacts, in-
cluding fragments of the planes
that hit the World Trade Center,
first responder rescue badges, a
remnant of a New York City police
car that was recovered from the
Fresh Kills Landfill, a bent 78th-
floor stairwell sign from one of the
Twin Towers, and a copy of the
9/11 Commission Report.
“9/11: A Day in the Life of a Peo-
ple”, which will be shown at 12:30
p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the F.M.
Kirby Auditorium, written by
Charles Dumas, tells the story of
9/11 from the perspective of 12 or-
dinary people, compiled from ac-
tual narratives and fictionalized
accounts. The play takes place just
before, during, and 10 years after
the attack on the World Trade Cen-
ter.
Throughout the day, visitors can
participate in the 20-minute, inter-
active program, “Memorials: How
a Nation Remembers.” This spe-
cial program explores how Ameri-
cans remember people or events
from our history, and teaches stu-
dents about the history of our na-
tion’s most interesting memorials,
including Little Bighorn, the
U.S.S. Arizona and the Lincoln
Memorial.
The National Constitution Center,
Religious Leaders Council of
Greater Philadelphia, Interfaith
Center of Greater Philadelphia,
and the City of Philadelphia, have
jointly developed a unifying
pledge that will be disseminated to
the public through a variety of for-
mats. The goal is to encourage citi-
zens from all walks of life – from
elementary-school students to
prominent Philadelphians – to
share their signatures, hopes,
prayers and commitments. Visitors
to the Center on 9/11 are invited to
add their thoughts and signatures
to a life-size version of the pledge,
which will be located in the Grand
Hall Lobby. An online version can
be signed at Phillyuniteson911.org.
Pa.’s Senators
Respond To
Presidential SpeechUS Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) re-
leased the following statement
after President Obama’s speech to
tonight’s joint session of Congress:
“Tonight I am traveling to Eastern
Pennsylvania, which faces a grave
threat from rain and floods. This is
a tragic reminder that we are all in
this together. It is time to work to-
gether in the interest of Pennsylva-
nia and the nation to confront our
shared challenges, create jobs and
get the economy moving.
“As I travel around Pennsylvania,
job creation and economic security
have been and continue to be the
top issues. The truth is we need
more action on concrete ideas to
put people back to work and less
partisan rhetoric.
Day Of Remembrance Brings Us To-
gether At Constitution Ctr. On 9/11
4 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 9 SEPTEMBER, 2011
“President Obama has put a num-
ber of ideas on the table tonight. I
agree with some, I disagree with
others and I have ideas of my own
that I will continue to push.
“I have proposed a job creation tax
cut to help small businesses hire
new employees, a bipartisan life-
sciences tax credit to create jobs in
one of the leading sectors in the
Pennsylvania economy and I have
repeatedly called for the Adminis-
tration to crack down on China’s
currency manipulation that puts
Pennsylvania workers at a disad-
vantage and is stifling Pennsylva-
nia manufacturing.
“Our focus on trade should be on
leveling the playing field for US
workers, not on shipping Pennsyl-
vania manufacturing jobs overseas.
Instead of pushing new NAFTA-
style trade deals, the Administra-
tion should enforce existing trade
laws and protect Pennsylvania
workers.
“I look forward to working with
both Republicans and Democrats
toward bipartisan consensus on
common-sense solutions that will
move our economy and the nation
forward together.”
Casey’s Republican counterpart,
Sen. Pat Toomey, had terser
thoughts after the speech.
“As a member of the Joint Select
Committee on Deficit Reduction,
charged with finding at least $1.2
trillion in deficits reduction, I was
disappointed with President
Obama’s speech,” Toomey said.
“Right now, we need to be focused
on the joint goals of reducing our
deficits and creating jobs, but
tonight I heard the President call
for hundreds of billions of dollars
in increased spending. President
Obama has tried massive stimulus
spending and it hasn’t worked;
most of tonight’s speech appears to
be more of the same.”
“Furthermore, the President
claimed that everything in his bill
is paid for, but instead of specify-
ing how he intends to pay for his
proposals, he attempted to pass the
buck to the Select Committee. The
Select Committee has a short pe-
riod of time to tackle our over-
spending and deficit problems, and
the bulk of the President’s propos-
als tonight would move us in the
wrong direction.”
Fattah Vows FEMA
Will Get Disaster Re-
sources
Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-
Phila.), a senior member of the
House Appropriations Committee,
issued this statement after meeting
yesterday with W. Craig Fugate,
administrator of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency, on
Capitol Hill:
“I met this morning with FEMA
Administrator Craig Fugate, along
with Congressman Meehan and
about 40 other House colleagues
from Pennsylvania and five other
affected states, for a briefing on
FEMA’s response – and its urgent
needs – following Hurricane Irene
and additional storms. I spoke with
the Administrator about the severe
flooding and infrastructure damage
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in Philadelphia from the overnight
downpour that has hit our satu-
rated watershed, and he is well
aware of that situation.
“FEMA has been doing an excel-
lent job. But it requires additional
resources to respond to this series
of storms and to replenish its re-
serves for the next unanticipated
emergency.
“It is the clear responsibility of the
Congress, beyond politics, to pro-
vide the disaster relief resources
required by FEMA to meet the
critical needs of our citizens, busi-
nesses and communities in the
wake of these storms. I told the
Administrator that this is the least
that Americans expect when disas-
ter strikes.
“I will continue to work with Con-
gressman Brady, Congresswoman
Schwartz and others in our hard-
hit region on immediate and ap-
propriate disaster relief efforts. On
the national scale, I assured Ad-
ministrator Fugate we are ab-
solutely going to get FEMA the
resources that it needs.”
Mayor, CHOP Celebrate ExpansionMayor Michael A. Nutter, Dr.
Steven Altschuler, CEO of The
Children’s Hospital of Philadel-
phia, elected officials, and repre-
sentatives from Philadelphia’s
business community celebrated the
development of CHOP’s Ambula-
tory Care Center. Currently under
excavation, the 500,000-square-
foot development will create more
than 700 jobs comprised of direct
and indirect construction jobs and
is a component of CHOP’s ongo-
ing $2.6 billion expansion of their
campus since 2002.
“CHOP is an internationally
renowned pediatric hospital that
has been directly serving Philadel-
phia’s children and improving
their quality of life for more than a
century,” said the Mayor.
“CHOP’s expansion not only
brings jobs to skilled Philadelphi-
ans, but it will also allow CHOP to
continue its life-saving research.
This expansion will help to trans-
form University City as an interna-
tional destination for families
seeking the best medical care
available and to attract the best
doctors and researchers from
around the world.”
Dr. Steven Altschuler, CHOP’s
CEO, said, “The Children’s Hospi-
tal of Philadelphia’s capital expan-
sion is one of the largest hospital
projects of its kind in any city in
America, and is anticipated to cre-
ate significant construction-related
jobs, additional economic and
community benefit to the City of
Philadelphia, and most important –
a higher level of care for children.
“I am proud to announce an addi-
tional $2 billion of investment in
the City of Philadelphia through
2017. We will continue to drive in-
novation through the care we de-
liver and the research we do.
These capital investments, and our
employees, will continue to secure
CHOP’s position as the nation’s
top ranked children’s hospital.”
The newly opened Ruth & Tris-
tram Colket, Jr. Translational Re-
search Building, which overlooks
the expansion site, is a $500 mil-
lion facility, which houses pedi-
atric research labs for cancer,
diabetes, epilepsy, blindness and
hemophilia. This facility was dedi-
cated in 2010 and has allowed
CHOP to expand its research inno-
vation to discover and lead the
next generation of treatments.
During the event, Livingston
White, a contractor and Philadel-
phia resident, discussed working
on CHOP’s expansion projects
since 2000, “I feel very fortunate
and thankful to have maintained
employment during a time with so
much economic pressure on soci-
ety and unemployment at an all-
time high,” he said.
The City of Philadelphia, which
possesses a strong life-sciences
sector, graduates one of every five
physicians in the United States.
One out of every six jobs and 15%
of all economic activity in the
Greater Philadelphia region can be
traced to this sector.
With 13,000 employees, CHOP is
Pennsylvania’s 21st largest em-
ployer and Philadelphia’s 5th
largest employer. The Hospital’s
expansion is ranked among the
largest of its type in the United
States. The Hospital has more than
one million patient encounters
each year, and is growing thanks
in part to a new international med-
icine program that attracts children
and their families from over 26
countries.
6 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 9 SEPTEMBER, 2011
Green, Sánchez Unveil
Business-Privilege Tax ReformCity Council Members Bill Green
and Maria Quiñones Sánchez in-
troduced new legislation yesterday
providing significant tax relief for
Philadelphia-based and small busi-
nesses, continuing their efforts to
reform Philadelphia’s business-
privilege tax.
“For three years, we have been
working to further the goals of tax
fairness; leveling the playing field
for local businesses, including
manufacturers; small business tax
relief; and generating economic
growth by removing some tax-re-
lated disincentives to locating and
expanding a business in the City,”
Sánchez explained. “This legisla-
tion is part and parcel of that on-
going work and is as close to a
compromise as we were able to
come with the Administration and
in discussions with stakeholder
groups, including the Chambers of
Commerce.”
The legislation contains two main
parts: (1) an exemption from the
gross-receipts and net-income
parts of the BPT for the first
$100K of receipts of all busi-
nesses; and (2) putting in place
“single sales factor apportion-
ment,” meaning Philadelphia busi-
nesses would pay the high rate
(6.45%) net income tax only on
income derived from sales in
Philadelphia.
“This legislation proposes far
more and far more targeted busi-
ness-tax reduction than is cur-
rently in the Five-Year Plan,”
Green remarked. “By focusing tax
relief on Philadelphia businesses
and small businesses – which are
the heart of our local economy –
this legislation is an important step
on the path toward broader BPT
reform, which we continue to be-
lieve is essential for removing the
‘profitability penalty’ businesses
now face for locating in the City.”
Further discussing the legislation,
Sánchez noted the importance of
extending the $100K exemption to
both the gross receipts and the net
income prongs of the BPT: “One
of the key findings from our
analysis of BPT data over the past
three years is that Philadelphia’s
small businesses pay a dispropor-
tionately high share of the net in-
come tax. Providing an exemption
just on the gross receipts tax
would do little to help these busi-
nesses, which we know are espe-
cially important to economic
growth in post-recession periods.”
Regarding “single sales factor ap-
portionment,” Green explained the
current apportionment structure –
whereby Philadelphia businesses
with property and employees in
the City pay net income tax on a
portion of their non-City sales – is
particularly burdensome for the
City’s exporting industries, includ-
ing manufacturing. “With the dis-
tressing news this week from
Sunoco, this change, which helps
level the playing field for
Philadelphia businesses, gains
ever more urgency. We must take
bold action to at once maintain
and grow our manufacturing sec-
tor and its family-sustaining jobs.”
While the legislation continues
planned gradual reductions in the
net income tax, Green and
Sánchez remain committed to
complete elimination of this tax.
The legislation introduced today
will provide over $50 million per
year of tax relief targeted toward
Philadelphia-based and small busi-
nesses, they claimed.
Nutter Promotes A
Literate City
Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the
Mayor’s Commission on Literacy
celebrated International Literacy
Day by announcing their vision to
make Philadelphia one of the
country’s most-literate cities by
2016 by connecting adults directly
to literacy services. More than 100
representatives of nearly 50 liter-
acy-providing organizations — in-
cluding service organizations,
churches, postsecondary educa-
tion, community-based agencies,
unions, City agencies and volun-
teers — attended the event to learn
about the Commission’s plans and
to join an alliance in support of its
vision.
“Philadelphia is in crisis: 550,000
adults do not have the literacy
skills to apply for a job,” said Nut-
ter. “One year ago, when I an-
nounced the Mayor’s Commission
9 SEPTEMBER, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 7
on Literacy and a new Executive
Director for the Commission, I
confirmed fighting this crisis is a
priority for our Administration.
Mayor Nutter and E. Steven
Collins, chair of The Mayor’s
Commission on Literacy, detailed
major plans and discussed their
commitment to integrating work-
force development with adult liter-
acy throughout the city. The goal
of the initiatives is to help unem-
ployed and underemployed
Philadelphians obtain jobs, ad-
vance in family-sustaining careers,
and build the economic vitality of
the city.
The plans include an online refer-
ral system that will allow real-time
matching of adult learners to
classes, tutors, testing and instruc-
tion. This system will be designed
and launched within the year.
The Commission aims to work in
partnership with neighborhood-
based organizations, such as li-
brary branches, recreation centers
and faith-based institutions.
It will offer online learning and
practice on computers in public
computing centers like those cre-
ated by the Freedom Rings Part-
nership, Free Library branches and
Recreation Centers throughout the
city. Research is also being carried
out on smart-phone instruction.
The project hopes to recruit a new
type of volunteer, Career Sponsors,
drawn from the ranks of successful
adult learners who will work with
others in their neighborhoods to
help them.
Collins reported how $1 million in
City funds — which has been allo-
cated for adult literacy for the first
time in the City’s history — will
be used to support and enhance the
work of literacy and workforce or-
ganizations, agencies, and volun-
teers. Collins said the Mayor’s
Commission has defined literacy
as much more than reading and
writing. It includes numeracy, digi-
tal literacy, critical thinking, prob-
lem solving and the work ethic
necessary for success on the job.
Dr. Judith Rényi, who was ap-
pointed as the Commission’s Exec-
utive Director last fall, spoke about
the work that has already begun to
integrate workforce development
with literacy in Philadelphia,
“Today, we have gathered leaders
and staff from more than 50 liter-
acy service provider agencies from
every corner of Philadelphia to
form a new, comprehensive al-
liance for workforce literacy. We
pledge to help every adult in
Philadelphia get on a pathway to
the learning they need to get a
good job.”
Siobhan A. Reardon, president and
director of the Free Library, dis-
cussed the Library’s role in ad-
vancing literacy and fostering
workforce development in the re-
gion. Carla Gaskin, a member of
the Commission and employee of
the Free Library, discussed her per-
sonal experience as an adult
learner.
8 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 9 SEPTEMBER, 2011
Comcast, Nutter Team Up In Vast
Broadband Adoption Program
This photo is from 9/6.
Brian Roberts greets a
student first day of school
at Kipp Charter School,
morning before launch
event. He David Cohen
passed out Internet Essen-
tials materials so all eligi-
ble families learn about it.
FROM LEFT: Brian
Roberts, Comcast Chair-
man & CEO, Philadel-
phia’s Mayor Michael
Nutter, Ron Tomalis,
Penna.’s Secretary of Ed-
ucation, and David Cohen,
Comcast Executive VP,
launch ambitious program
to spread internet literacy
throughout city.
9 SEPTEMBER, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 9
Comcast Corp. Chairman and
CEO Brian L. Roberts and
Philadelphia Mayor Michael A.
Nutter have launched Internet Es-
sentials, a program which provides
families in Philadelphia with chil-
dren who are eligible to receive
free lunches under the National
School Lunch Program with low-
cost Internet service, affordable
computers and digital literacy
training. The goal of Internet Es-
sentials is to help close the digital
divide and ensure more Americans
benefit from all the Internet has to
offer.
The program addresses what re-
search has identified as the three
primary barriers to broadband
adoption – 1) a lack of understand-
ing of how the Internet is relevant
and useful; 2) the cost of a home
computer; and 3) the cost of inter-
net service.
“The launch of Internet Essentials
across the United States and in
Philadelphia is one of the most im-
portant community projects that I
have ever been involved with at
Comcast,” said Roberts. “There is
no doubt the internet is a great
equalizer and life-changing tech-
nology and being connected to the
Internet is critically important to
society, our youth and our future.
This program can help low-in-
come American families get online
so they can take advantage of all
the internet has to offer.”
“Digital literacy is a defining issue
of our time,” said Nutter. “Internet
and computer access contribute to
the education, career progression
and innovation of Philadelphia’s
citizens. I would like to thank
Comcast for their dedication to
narrowing the digital divide in our
city. The Internet Essentials pro-
gram provides an invaluable serv-
ice to the children and families
who will benefit the most from af-
fordable Internet access.”
According to David L. Cohen,
Comcast executive VP, “Internet
Essentials helps level the playing
field for low-income families by
connecting students online with
their teachers and their schools’
educational resources. The pro-
gram will enable parents to receive
digital literacy training so they can
do things like apply for jobs online
or use the internet to learn more
about healthcare and government
services available where they
live.”
At the launch event at the Salva-
tion Army Kroc Community Cen-
ter in Nicetown, Roberts, Cohen
and Nutter were joined by School
District of Philadelphia Acting Su-
perintendent and Chief Executive
Dr. Leroy David Nunery II, school
officials, city leaders and commu-
nity organizations.
Comcast’s effort to bridge the dig-
ital divide for Philadelphia stu-
dents is extremely encouraging,”
said Dr. Nunery. “Now more than
ever, access to assignments, grades
and other classroom information is
offered online and those who can
tap into home computers and the
Web are at a distinct advantage.
We thank Comcast for making a
difference in many students’
lives.”
Internet Essentials participants
will receive residential Internet
service for $9.95 a month + appli-
cable taxes; no price increases, no
activation fees, or equipment
rental fees; a voucher to purchase
a low-cost computer for $149.99 +
tax; and access to free digital-liter-
acy training in print, online and in
person.
Additional benefits include the
Norton™ Security Suite ($160
value) for comprehensive online
security protection at no additional
cost.
A household is eligible to partici-
pate in the Internet Essentials pro-
gram if it meets all of the
following criteria:
• Is located where Comcast offers
Internet service;
• Has at least one child who is eli-
gible to receive a free school lunch
under the NSLP;
• Has not subscribed to Comcast
internet service within the last 90
days;
• Does not have an overdue Com-
cast bill or unreturned equipment.
Comcast will sign up eligible fam-
ilies in the program for at least
three years, through the end of the
2013-2014 school year. Any
household that qualifies during
this three-year period will remain
eligible for Internet Essentials pro-
vided a child eligible for a free
lunch remains living in the house-
hold.
For general information about In-
ternet Essentials, visit www.inter-
netessentials.com for English or
www.internetbasico.com for Span-
ish. Educators or third parties in-
terested in helping to spread the
word can find more information at
www.internetessentials.com/part-
ner. Parents looking to enroll in
the program can call 1 (855) 846-
8376 or, for Spanish, 1 (855) 765-
6995.
10 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 9 SEPTEMBER, 2011
Brian Sims Announces Candidacy
In 182nd House Dist.Brian Sims today formally an-
nounced his candidacy yesterday
to represent Philadelphia’s 182nd
State House Dist. in Center City
and South Philadelphia.
“I have dedicated my professional
life to fighting for the citizens of
our great city,” Sims said. “Now I
am ready to step up and fight for
our communities as a public ser-
vant.”
Sims said his historic, community-
based campaign will be dedicated
to making Philadelphia safer,
strengthening and protecting pub-
lic education, expanding civil
rights for all Pennsylvanians, pre-
serving our environment while in-
vesting in alternative energy,
creating jobs and cleaning up Har-
risburg.
“I look forward to a great cam-
paign, focused on ensuring the
State continues to support the
progress and growth our District
and City have seen over the last
decade,” Sims added. A national
and local voice for legal and civil-
rights issues, the Center City attor-
ney recently stepped down from a
two-year term as the board presi-
dent of Equality Pennsylvania.
Sims was the Staff Counsel for
Policy & Planning at the Philadel-
phia Bar Association from 2008-
10, worked to protect the rights of
disabled Philadelphians as an at-
torney for Seltzer & Associates,
P.C. from 2005-08, and served as
senior law clerk at the Environ-
mental Protection Agency in 2003.
In 2010 he was named one of the
40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40
in the nation by the National
LGBT Bar Association/ABA, is a
past Chairman of the Gay & Les-
bian Lawyers of Philadelphia, and
is a past member of the National
Campaign Board of the Gay &
Lesbian Victory Fund.
In 2000, the son of two retired
Army lieutenant colonels came out
to his college football team after
leading them to the Division II Na-
tional Championship game as their
captain. He remains the only for-
mer NCAA football captain to
have ever come out, and is one of
the most notable collegiate athletes
to do so in any sport.
Sims holds a BS from Bloomsburg
University in business administra-
tion and a JD in international &
comparative law from Michigan
State University College of Law.