THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY JOHNSON, V. BROWN, B. BOYLE, CALTAGIRONE, PRESTON, W. KELLER, THOMAS, MIRABITO, GERBER, WHEATLEY, GOODMAN, DiGIROLAMO, SANTONI, STABACK, CONKLIN, KORTZ, MANN, YOUNGBLOOD, PAYTON, PASHINSKI, JOSEPHS, HESS, FABRIZIO, D. EVANS, D. COSTA, BRADFORD, MILLARD, PARKER, MURT, SANTARSIERO AND SABATINA, JANUARY 25, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JANUARY 25, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating March 21, 2011, as "William Randolph 'Sonny' Hill

Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, William Randolph "Sonny" Hill was born and raised in

Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hill graduated from Northeast High School and

later attended college before joining the semiprofessional

Eastern Basketball League, a league where most gifted African-

American basketball players were welcomed; and

WHEREAS, In 1960, Mr. Hill enlisted the assistance of fellow

Philadelphia athletes Guy Rodgers, Ray Scott, Hal Lear and Wilt

Chamberlain to establish the Charles Baker Memorial Basketball

League, an off-season confederation of professional basketball

players who converge on Philadelphia from all over the country

to display their talent and skill; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Mr. Hill was inspired to found the Sonny

Hill Community Involvement League during a time when

Philadelphia was plagued by turbulent gang warfare and hundreds

of youth succumbed to the violent streets; and

WHEREAS, The Sonny Hill Community Involvement League served

as a safe haven for Delaware Valley youth and continues to

generate great athletes while offering them refuge from the

pervasive urban street culture; and

WHEREAS, The Sonny Hill Community Involvement League closely

tracks the academic progress of its players, provides tutorial

services and career counseling and boasts a college admission

rate of 85% among its players; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, Mr. Hill was honored by the Naismith

Basketball Hall of Fame with the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit

Award, an award designed to honor those who have incorporated

basketball into their efforts to contribute to the greater good

of society; and

WHEREAS, Breaking down barriers on and off the basketball

court, Mr. Hill was CBS's first African-American commentator for

NBA games; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hill currently hosts his own radio show every

Sunday on WIP AM Sport Radio and serves as executive advisor to

the Philadelphia 76ers; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That in recognition of the tremendous impact and

trailblazing accomplishments of William Randolph "Sonny" Hill,

the House of Representatives designate March 21, 2011, as

"William Randolph 'Sonny' Hill Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives extend its

appreciation to William Randolph "Sonny" Hill for the

significant contributions he has made to the lives of tens of

thousands of Delaware Valley youth.