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[Page S1379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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TRIBUTE TO BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN
Mr. CASEY, Madam President, today I wish to honor Councilwoman
Blondell Reynolds Brown, a notable public servant in Pennsylvania, as
she concludes 20 years of service within the Philadelphia City Council.
Throughout her career, Councilwoman Reynolds Brown has worked to
improve the lives of Philadelphians as an educator, community activist,
and political leader.
The oldest of seven children, Blondell Reynolds Brown was born in
Sumter, SC, to Sadie Reynolds, a schoolteacher, and the late Whittimore
Reynolds, who worked in construction. At the age 5, Reynolds Brown and
her family moved to Philadelphia, where she would go on to graduate
from the Philadelphia High School for Girls.
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown demonstrated an early proclivity for
public service. Following her graduation from Pennsylvania State
University, she was on track to join the Peace Corps, but instead
decided to start her service in Philadelphia and teach in the city's
public schools.
In 1999, Reynolds Brown was elected to one of seven at-large city
council seats. It was her time as a legislative aide for a State
senator that inspired her initial decision to run for city council.
During this time, Reynolds Brown noticed a lack of Black women in
leadership roles and led her own efforts to promote equity and
diversity in public office.
During her time in office, Reynolds Brown has championed meaningful
legislation in service of children, women, arts and culture, education,
small business development, and the environment and sustainability.
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown's major legislative accomplishments include
the creation of the Fund for Children, the establishment of
requirements for menu labeling within Philadelphia, the implementation
of sexual harassment training for city of Philadelphia employees, the
overhaul of the parks and recreation system, and the expansion of
domestic partner benefits within city contractors. She also did a great
deal to advocate for the appointment of woman to board positions and
helped leverage funding for mentorship, early childhood education, the
arts, and Philadelphia tourism.
Beyond her work on city council, Reynolds Brown is an active member
of the Philadelphia community. She is a board member of the
Philadelphia Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Marian Anderson
Award, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, the Greater Philadelphia
Cultural Alliance, and Wynnefield Residents Association. Reynolds Brown
is also an ex-officio member of the board of the Philadelphia Dance
Company, and a general member of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of
the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
I wish to thank Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for her long
service to Philadelphia on its city council. I wish her success in all
her future endeavors to serve the people of Pennsylvania.
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