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-

ver@aol.com.

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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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.