►
Description
Councilman Dennis M. O'Brien makes his final speech to Philadelphia City Council during the Stated Meeting held on December 10, 2015.
Councilman O'Brien served Council for one term as an At Large member and previously served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
A
Recognizes
councilman
O'brien,
Thank
You.
Mr.
president,
this
is
like
the
last
day
of
school,
we're
all
anxious
to
get
going,
but
we're
all
comforted
in
the
idea
that
we'll
see
each
other
at
some
time
in
the
future
and
I
hope.
That's
my
experience.
We're
also
anxious
for
the
future
and
I'm
very
much
aware
that
I
learned
a
lot
while
I
was
here
and
I'm
very
aware
and
grateful
for
the
growth
of
life
experience,
but
especially
the
relationships
that
I
share
with
all
of
my
colleagues
and
the
people
in
all
of
your
legislative
districts.
A
Public
service
is
a
gift
and
for
my
experience
in
Harrisburg
and
my
experience
here
in
Philadelphia
I
love
to
live
grateful
for
that
experience.
We
get
to
interact
with
people
on
a
personal
level
when
they
have
an
instant
issue
that
can
change
their
life.
If
we
intervene,
we
also
advocate
for
those
who
don't
have
a
voice
in
our
public
service.
We
have
power,
we
have
opportunity,
but,
most
importantly,
we
have
a
responsibility
and
we
should
think-
and
you
should
take
advantage
of
every
moment-
that
you
enjoy
your
public
position.
A
This
legislative
body
was
always
functional
because
of
the
leadership
and
the
collaboration
among
all
of
you,
and
we
all
know
that.
That's
not
the
case
on
other
levels
of
government,
particularly
in
the
state
and
on
the
federal
level,
I'd
like
to
recognize
my
Republican
colleagues
Bryan
and
David,
because
they
always
supported
a
positive
agenda
that
moved
the
city
forward
and
often
they
were
criticized
for
going
along
to
get
along,
and
that
certainly
was
was
never
never.
The
case
I
like
to
recognize
some
of
my
colleagues
Jamie
blackwell
I
wish
he
was
here.
A
I
never
met
anybody
who
was
a
stronger
advocate
for
individuals
who
learn
differently
and
have
educational
challenges
and
to
empower
them
to
change
their
lives
and
take
responsibility
for
their
lives,
and
she
always
thanked
the
late
great
lucion
blackwell,
and
she
would
never
accept
the
comment
compliment
without
saying.
Thank
you,
I
think
she
said.
Thank
you
more
than
anybody.
I've
ever
met
in
my
entire
life,
and
it's
us
that
should
thank
Jamie
Blackwell
for
her
service
over
these
many
years.
A
Bobby
Heenan,
as
he
alluded
to
I've,
never
seen
anyone
that
has
taken
up
on
as
many
issues
that
are
complicated
to
make
your
head
hurt
without
fear
of
not
being
successful.
He
builds
consensus
and
he's
brought
and
numerous
issues
to
this
council
that
successfully
Mary
and
task.
Oh
I'm,
so
glad
that
I
listened
to
her
personal
response
to
everybody.
A
That
makes
a
difference
day
in
and
day
out
and
what
a
deserving
tribute
it
was
and
I
hope
you
let
all
that
energy
in
for
a
long
time
to
come,
Kenyatta
Johnson.
What
can
I
say?
He
just
brought
that
spirit
of
collegiality
from
Harrisburg
and
every
Thursday
reminded
us
of
that
opportunity
to
respect
each
other
and
move
agendas
together
in
a
positive
way
by
that
wonderful
breeding
that
he
always
gave
to
the
mr.
A
A
Brown
I
would
like
to
thank
you
for
reminding
all
this
that
is
2015
and
that
we
have
to
afford
each
and
every
one,
the
dignity
and
respect
that
they
deserve
and
I
applaud
you
for
taking
leadership
and
all
the
other
members
of
caucus
that
support
you
in
that
endeavor
I'd
like
to
thank
bill
Greenlee.
It
was
my
wingman
on
indigene
council
and
it
was
his
knowledge
of
this
legislative
body
in
his
commitment.
A
His
commitment
to
that
issue
that
made
us
successful
and
hopefully
that
issue
will
continue
his
leadership
in
making
sure
not
only
on
rules
and
everything
else
that
every
member
was
informed.
The
slightest
change
in
a
legislative
proposal
and
I'd
like
to
thank
President
Clark
for
the
support
of
the
Philadelphia
autism
project,
it's
in
its
second
year
I.
Thank
you
for
getting
that
off
the
ground
I.
A
Thank
you
for
the
funding
not
only
for
that,
but
for
securing
funding
for
focus
deterrence
which
saves
lives
and
gives
opportunities
to
individuals
to
get
away
from
a
lifestyle
of
crime
and
violence.
I
would
also
like
to
thank
my
good
friend,
Curtis
Jones,
and
it
was
a
pleasure
serving
with
him
on
the
Public
Safety
Committee
and
taking
one
Pennsylvania
probation
and
parole.
That
was
courageous
endeavor
and
you
made
real
change.
A
We're
not
going
to
see
that,
but
I
can
tell
you
that
the
procedures
of
protocols
are
Pennsylvania,
probation
and
parole
or
significantly
effective,
and
those
officers
recognize
that
and
applaud
you
for
your
efforts,
bacon,
property,
Maria,
Kiana
Sanchez
on
the
land
bank,
let
gifting
myself
and
my
staff
that
wonderful
embodiment
of
knowledge
to
create
the
vacant
property
legislation
again,
that
saves
lives
and
it
saves
neighborhoods
and
also
for
moving
natori
of
Freud
forward,
which
provides
consumer
protections
and
a
pathway
to
citizenship.
And
it's
a
model
piece
of
legislation
across
the
country.
A
I'd
also
like
to
recognize.
My
success
in
Harrisburg
on
in
Philadelphia
has
always
been
because
of
staff,
certainly
not
because
I'm
the
brightest
bulb
on
the
planet,
but
I
would
like
to
first
recognize
our
technical
staff,
how
Fitch
handler
at
Mary,
McDaniel
and
I'm
going
to
outer,
because
she
was
my
chief
counsel,
Harry
photographic,
extraordinary
at
difference
here
in
city
council,
john
Christmas,
herb,
Wetzel,
shot
a
Louis
and
Rosalie
Leonard,
and
my
intern
sitting
right
over
here.
A
Erin
McLaughlin,
who
to
the
very
last
minute
in
caucus,
was
asking
very,
very
probing
questions
about
leadership
and
about
engaging
in
legislative
discussions
and
then
I
would
also
like
to
recognize
I.
I
forgot
my
good
friend,
mark's
Willa
I
spent
so
many
years
in
Harrisburg
and
when
we
were
first
doing
avi
walk
into
his
office
discuss
something
he
goes.
You
know
what
we're
going
to
slow
this
down,
we're
going
to
make
it
different,
so
we're
gonna.
A
Do
this
I'm
walking
out
I
talked
about
Graydon
and
I,
say
you
know
what
I
admire
his
courage,
but
I,
don't
think
he's
going
to
be
able
to
do
any
did
he
did
and
he's
a
great
leader
in
South,
Philadelphia
and
he's
a
great
friend
and
I?
Thank
you
for
that.
I
also
would
like
to
recognize
my
staff
Matt
Braden,
who
is
my
chief
of
staff.
I
stole
him
from
the
district
attorney's
office,
where
he
logistically
supported
over
600
employees
to
make
sure
that
all
the
cases
move
forward.
A
He
implemented
the
38
million
dollar
budget
from
everything
the
fleet
management
office,
space
to
budgets
for
all
of
the
various
departments,
and
then
you
have
Miriam
enriquez,
who
was
an
accomplished
assistant
DA.
She
went
in
with
my
knees
to
the
DA's
office.
Aren't
O'brien
O'brien
and
I
thought
was
a
real
steal.
It
was
the
first
time
that
I
heard
the
district
attorney's
office
actually
almost
threatened
because
their
plans
for
her
and
she
chose
to
come
here.
And
what
can
I
say
about
Katie
Kaplan
who's
got
a
PhD
and
in
mental
issues.
A
She
came
here
to
support
my
office
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
in
the
conversation
around
individuals
with
disabilities,
and
she
said
I,
don't
know
anything
about
about
this
and
I
said
well.
My
guys
have
mental
health
issues.
So
I
think
this
is
going
to
work
employ.
Did
she
ever
make
a
difference
in
advocating
for
individuals
and
for
groups
of
individuals
with
disabilities
across
the
board?
And
and
then
I
have
my
wonderful
friend,
Marge
Caputo,
who
I
stole
from
the
Northeast
as
she
ran?
Academy
savers,
youth
organization?
A
But
there
wasn't
a
youth
organization,
the
Met
Northeast
Philadelphia
that
Margie
wasn't
integrally
involved
in
and
advising
how
to
build
programs
how
to
work
with
the
community.
There
wasn't
any
civic
issue
that
she
wasn't
personally
involved
in
I'll.
Remember
one
day
that
I
left
harrisburg
AR
get
home,
probably
around
six
o'clock.
In
the
morning
they
had
the
opening
Day
ceremonies
and
a
lot
of
the
youth
groups
in
Northeast
Philadelphia.
A
Given
me
a
jacket
either
windbreaker,
just
some
kind
of
coat
and
I
went
right
from
Harrisburg
to
the
field,
to
the
baseball
field
and
I
grabbed
a
jacket
out
of
my
closet,
real,
quick
and
ran
over
to
the
baseball
field
and
I
turned
around
and
I
said.
I'm
very
proud
of
this
jack
I
had
Penn
Academy
on
instead
of
the
Condamine
savers,
and
she
got
me
out
of
a
very
embarrassing
moment
so
she's
multiple
T,
talented
by
and
then
Kevin
Carroll.
He
was
a
gift
from
South
Philly.
A
He
grew
up
with
a
lot
of
our
most
prominent
leaders
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
and
I
was
instantly
impressed
because
I
would
walk
down
the
street
and
I
thought
all
these
people
are
waiting
to
me
not
waving
to
me.
They
know
Kevin.
So,
for
all
of
these
reasons,
I
will
be
very
grateful,
as
I
said
before.
I
will
live
gratefully
for
the
leadership
of
you,
mr.
president,
and
my
colleagues
and
City
Council
and
I.
Thank
you,
people
of
City
Philadelphia
for
a
wonderful
opportunity
to
serve
for
as
many
years
as
I
could.
Thank
you.