Resolution 250781
Authorizing the committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to examine the potential establishment of the Office of Freedmen Affairs within the City of Philadelphia.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“… This is precisely why we need an Office of Freedmen Affairs. Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced Resolution 250781 to establish the Office of Freedmen Affairs in Philadelphia. The city needs to address what has already been put before it and live up to the intent of that resolution at the state level. Senator Sharif Street will be introducing legislation to establish an Office of American Freedmen Affairs when the…”
Mr. Hagins · Stated Meeting, September 24, 2026 · Sep 24, 2026 · official transcript, this passage
“…ue a pattern that has affected historically continuous American Freedmen neighborhoods. That is why Resolution 250781 is necessary. It creates a constitutional compliance overlay to ensure public asset of -- asset decisions do not perpetuate the badges, vestiges and incidents of slavery. You are also considering zoning overlays, three bills. These bills demonstrate that Council already uses overlays to protect commun…”
Mr. Hagins · Stated Meeting, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026 · official transcript, this passage
“…ods and local businesses. As Council considers this legislation, I urge you to also move forward on Resolution 250781, the Office of Freedmen Affairs. A $25 wage is an important step, but wages alone will not address generations of economic disparities and disinvestment. We need immediate economic relief and long-term economics. We ask that if you need help, contact the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American…”
Mr. Hagins · Stated Meeting, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026 · official transcript, this passage
“…er. And so, as we look at what's going on, I bring us to the fact that we were to have a hearing on Resolution 250781 in reference to the Freedmen's Bureau. And the timing of this could not be better. For three years I've listened to the 18th member of City Council come in here, and sometimes I listen a little closer than others. Sometimes I say, oh, boy, here he goes, right. But after a while, I started hearing the …”
Councilman Jones · Stated Meeting, January 29, 2026 · Jan 29, 2026 · official transcript, this passage
“… matter that reaches into the very heart of our city's history and into the future of our children. Resolution 250781, I'll say it again, Resolution 250781, spearheaded by the most faithful, persistent and dedicated brother in Philadelphia, and that's Ogbonna Hagins, in establishing the Office of American Freedmen Affairs. This message was given to me, but I'm going to pass it on to him. If the ancestors of those who…”
Ms. Peck · Stated Meeting, December 11, 2025 · Dec 11, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“…s procurement dollars support the very descendants the 13th Amendment intended to protect. Finally, resolution 250781 is therefore warranted to establish the Freedmen-led Advisory Committee, ensuring that Philadelphia's remedies constitutional violations by directly recognizing the descendant class of the rightful beneficiaries of reconstruction's promises. Over and out.”
Mr. Hagins · Stated Meeting, December 4, 2025 · Dec 4, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Sep 18, 2025Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
This Resolution was Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar.
- Sep 18, 2025ADOPTED & REFERRED · CITY COUNCIL
Recorded result: Pass
A motion was made by Jones that this Resolution be ADOPTED & REFERRED to the Committee on Public Safety. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
- Feb 18, 2026HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Public Safety
This Resolution was HEARING NOTICES SENT.
- Feb 18, 2026HEARING HELD · Committee on Public Safety
This Resolution was HEARING HELD.
- Feb 18, 2026RECESSED · Committee on Public Safety
This Resolution was RECESSED.
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Authorizing the committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to examine the potential establishment of the Office of Freedmen Affairs within the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, The history of the City of Philadelphia is deeply connected to the story of African Americans, including the descendants of persons once enslaved who helped build the civic and cultural foundations of the City; and WHEREAS, The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution formally abolished slavery, yet the descendants of persons emancipated under its provisions continue to endure inequities rooted in the legacy of bondage and its aftermath; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia played a critical role in the abolition movement, serving as home to leaders such as Richard Allen and William Still who advanced the cause of freedom and justice for those seeking emancipation; and WHEREAS, Despite this legacy, the City continues to confront inequities in housing and employment that disproportionately affect the descendants of persons once enslaved; and WHEREAS, An Office of Freedmen Affairs could serve as a dedicated agency within municipal government, supporting the health and economic prosperity of descendants of emancipated persons in civic life and addressing present inequities; and WHEREAS, Such an office could also promote a renewed public image for lineal descendants of persons afflicted with conditions of emancipation in Philadelphia, while coordinating with federal and state governments as well as local municipalities; and WHEREAS, The creation of an Office of Freedmen Affairs would require careful study of legal authority, funding sources, and programmatic priorities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Public Safety is authorized to hold hearings to examine the potential establishment of an Office of Freedmen Affairs within the City of Philadelphia, with the goal of supporting health and economic prosperity, renewing the public image of descendants of emancipated persons, and coordinating the work of government at multiple levels. ..End