PRINTER'S NO. 1690
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
306
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY KANE, KEARNEY, CAPPELLETTI, A. WILLIAMS,
TARTAGLIONE, FONTANA, MARTIN, COSTA AND HUGHES, JUNE 6, 2024
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JUNE 6, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Designating June 10, 2024, as "Delco Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Each year on June 10, the residents of Delaware
County come together to celebrate the beloved community known as
"Delco" and to raise money for a local charity; and
WHEREAS, The true spirit of Delco residents is shown through
their resilience, compassion and ability to be united together
in the cause for common good; and
WHEREAS, The Delco Live Podcast created and hosts "Delco Day"
annually at a Delaware County business to help raise money for
neighbors and residents in need; and
WHEREAS, "Delco Day" uses all proceeds to support a chosen
charitable organization each year; and
WHEREAS, This year's event will raise money to support the
HEADstrong Foundation, an organization that works to improve the
quality of life for cancer patients and their families; and
WHEREAS, The HEADstrong Foundation purchased a home in
Swarthmore Borough and fully renovated the home to serve
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families affected by cancer on or after December 11, 2017; and
WHEREAS, The house is known as "Nick's House," after the
owner's son who passed away from cancer; and
WHEREAS, The house offers 2,555 complimentary nights of
comfort, support and respite annually for families displaced to
the Greater Philadelphia Region while seeking comprehensive
cancer care and potentially lifesaving clinical trials; and
WHEREAS, Famous Delco residents include:
(1) Ruth L. Bennett - Civic and Civil Rights Leader -
Ruth L. Bennett moved to the City of Chester in 1914. She was
a legendary civic and civil rights leader until her passing
in 1947. She served as the President of the Chester
Improvement Club. Ms. Bennett opened the Bennett House in the
City of Chester to provide housing and care to women and
girls that migrated to Chester from the South. Ms. Bennett
also started the Wilson Nursery to care for babies and
children in the City of Chester. Today, the Chester Housing
Authority's Ruth L. Bennett Homes honors their namesake's
passion and dedication to the community by continuing to
provide affordable housing to City of Chester residents.
(2) Fran Brill - Puppeteer, Actress - A puppeteer and
actress, Fran Brill was born in Chester. Best known for her
role on "Sesame Street," she created the characters Zoe,
Little Bird, Betty Lou and Prairie Dawn, and she even won an
Emmy Award for her work. She graduated from the Boston
University College of Fine Arts and debuted on Broadway in
1969. Ms. Brill went on to act in television shows like, "Law
and Order," "The West Wing" and "All My Children" to name a
few. She retired from "Sesame Street" and puppeteering in
2014.
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(3) Tyreke Evans - Professional Basketball Player -
Tyreke Evans was born and raised in the City of Chester and
played basketball at American Christian Academy in Aston,
Pennsylvania. He was the MVP of the McDonald's High School
All American Game and a First Team Parade All American as a
high school student athlete. He played college basketball at
The University of Memphis where he earned numerous awards and
accolades. Tyreke played professional basketball for the
Sacramento Kings and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in
the 2009-2010 NBA season. He then went on to play for the New
Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers.
(4) Tina Fey - Comedian, Actress, Writer, Playwright,
and Producer - Tina Fey is an Upper Darby native and graduate
of Upper Darby High School. Ms. Fey starred on "Saturday
Night Live" (SNL) and was the show's co-host of the Weekend
Update sketch. She also served as the first female head
writer for SNL. Ms. Fey starred in the comedy sitcom, "30
Rock" and in numerous movies. Ms. Fey has won numerous
accolades and honors including Emmy Awards, Golden Globe
Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Writers Guild Awards, and
Producers Guild Awards. In 2019, The Guardian News proclaimed
Tina Fey as the Best Comedian of the 21st Century.
(5) Thomas Garrett - Abolitionist - Thomas Garrett was
born in Upper Darby in 1789. A member of a Quaker family, he
was raised an abolitionist and became especially devoted when
a servant was kidnapped and attempted to be sold as a slave.
Working out of Wilmington, Delaware, Mr. Garrett became a
prosperous business owner, but more importantly, was the
station master for the last stop of the Underground Railroad.
Even under stress from heavy fines, he continued his work up
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until the abolishment of slavery after the Civil War and is
credited for assisting 2,500 slaves to freedom.
(6) Brendan Hansen - Olympic Swimmer - A former Olympic
swimmer born and raised in Havertown, Brendan Hansen is a
six-time Olympic medalist, winning three gold, one silver and
two bronze medals. He also set world records in both the 100-
meter and 200-meter breaststroke. In total, Mr. Hansen won 25
medals across major competitions such as the World Swimming
Championships, the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and the
Olympics.
(7) Billy "White Shoes" Johnson - Athlete, National
Football League (NFL) Player - Born in the Delaware County
Community of Marcus Hook, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson's
incredible speed helped him become a football legend. Mr.
Johnson led Delaware County in scoring his senior year as
Chichester High School's starting quarterback. Mr. Johnson
took his amazing talents and famous white shoes to Widener
University where he set many school records and earned
Associated Press All-American Football Team honors in 1972
and 1973. He left Widener to play for the NFL's Houston
Oilers and won team Most Valuable Player in his first year.
Mr. Johnson retired from the NFL in 1988. At the time of his
retirement, he was the NFL's all-time leading punt returner.
He earned a spot on the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
(8) The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. - Civil Rights
Leader, Minister, Peacemaker - Martin Luther King, Jr.,
attended the Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, Delaware
County, for three years starting in 1949 and graduating in
1951. The seminary served as a training ground for students
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for entry into the Baptist Ministries. Reverend King went on
to serve the civil rights movement as one of its most
prominent leaders, organizing marches and boycotts throughout
this nation. He had a tremendous positive and inspiring
impact on American politics and culture and is a key figure
in United States history.
(9) Jameer Nelson - Athlete and Sports Management - A
City of Chester native, Jameer Nelson is an established
athlete and first round draft pick in the 2004 National
Basketball Association (NBA) draft. Mr. Nelson played for six
NBA teams and most notably, the Orlando Magic. He was named
national college player of year in 2004 while at Saint
Joseph's University. Currently, he is the Assistant General
Manager for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League.
(10) Mike Scioscia - Athlete - Mike Scioscia is a
Springfield High School graduate and first round draft pick
in the 1976 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. He had a long
and impressive history with the MLB, having been a catcher
for the Los Angeles Dodgers between the years 1980 and 1992.
Following his career as a catcher, Mr. Scioscia became a
manager for the Los Angeles Angels from 2000 through 2018. He
was the longest-tenured manager of MLB along with the second
longest out of the NFL, National Hockey League, NBA and MLB
combined.
(11) Wanda Sykes - Comedian, Actress, Writer, and
Activist - Wanda Sykes is a well-known actress, writer,
comedian and activist who lives in Media. Ms. Sykes has won
the American Comedy Award for "Funniest Female Stand-Up
Comic" and has been nominated for 14 Emmy Awards. She has
starred in more than 80 films and television shows while also
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being a producer and writer for other projects. Most
recently, she co-hosted the 94th Academy Awards.
(12) Bill Whitaker - News Anchor and Journalist - Bill
Whitaker was raised in and received his primary and secondary
education in Media. Mr. Whitaker has been around the world
with CBS reporting on major stories, from the Fukushima
tsunami to Tiananmen Square protests and the Salt Lake City
Olympics. Mr. Whitaker also reported on the inauguration of
Nelson Mandela, as well as the funeral for him. He currently
works as a co-anchor on "60 Minutes";
and
WHEREAS, Delco has many residents and former residents that
have made a tremendous difference in the lives of Delco
residents, the people of Pennsylvania and the citizens of the
United States and the world; and
WHEREAS, In true Delco fashion, everyone, everywhere is
encouraged to yell on June 10, 2024, at the top of their lungs:
"DELCO RULES"; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate June 10, 2024, as "Delco
Day" in Pennsylvania.
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