Regular Session 2015-2016 House Resolution 0090 P.N. 0524

PRINTER'S NO. 524

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY ACOSTA, MILLARD, THOMAS, BISHOP, SCHWEYER, BOYLE,

KIRKLAND, KINSEY, V. BROWN, SCHREIBER, COHEN, WHEATLEY,

YOUNGBLOOD, HARHART, C. PARKER, McNEILL, CALTAGIRONE,

READSHAW, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, WATSON, DAVIDSON, D. COSTA,

FARINA, BROWNLEE, MAHONEY AND GINGRICH, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and honoring the work, activism, leadership and

courage of Frances P. Aulston of the City of Philadelphia

during "Black History Month 2015."

WHEREAS, Frances "Fran" Aulston is a seasoned community

leader, activist and former research librarian for the Free

Library of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, An educator and cultural historian, Ms. Aulston is a

graduate of Antioch University and Drexel University with a

bachelor of arts degree in human services and a master's degree

in library science, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston, with the assistance of several artists,

founded the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (WPCA) in 1984;

and

WHEREAS, WPCA's mission is to cultivate interest and support

for the arts in West Philadelphia, increase the visibility of

the community's cultural resources, encourage the professional

development of local artists and promote positive social change;

and

WHEREAS, WPCA's three core values are collaboration,

leadership and respect; and

WHEREAS, As president and chief executive officer of WPCA,

Ms. Aulston has worked with more than 80 organizations,

government agencies and educational institutions to promote the

arts and local artists while building community through the

arts; and

WHEREAS, The WPCA membership is multicultural and multiethnic

and reflects the social and professional diversity of the City

of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, WPCA is one of the most respected cultural and

community organizations in the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, For Ms. Aulston, the WPCA has been "a ministry to

encourage families, especially children, to appreciate,

participate in, and actively support the arts"; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston believes that awareness of cultural

contributions in our communities makes better citizens for those

communities and for the world; and

WHEREAS, Under Ms. Aulston's leadership, WPCA initiated a

campaign recognizing the work of Paul Leroy Robeson, Esquire, as

a scholar, lawyer, artist and activist during the Civil Rights

Movement and ensuring that his legacy not be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston was instrumental in the successful

designation of Paul Robeson's last residence, 4951 Walnut Street

in the City of Philadelphia, as a historic place; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum

Commission declared the Paul Robeson House a historical

landmark; and

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WHEREAS, In 2000, the National Trust for Historic

Preservation designated the Paul Robeson House as an Official

Project of Save America's Treasures; and

WHEREAS, The Paul Robeson House has been designated as a

National Historical Site in the National Register of Historic

Places and is eligible for National Landmark Status; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston is currently working to renovate the

Paul Robeson House, which is expected to make the Philadelphia

residence the most historically significant property in the

United States associated with Paul Robeson; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston considers the restoration of Paul

Robeson's Philadelphia home as one of the community activities

of which she is most proud; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston envisions the Paul Robeson House "as an

institute of civic responsibility, where the community will come

and learn and recognize that we can cultivate leaders, not just

for our time but for generations to come"; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston is a founding member of the West

Philadelphia Partners for the Arts, known as ArtsWest; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston currently serves on the board of

directors of the Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts, the

TEC Community Development Corporation, the Wynnefield Residents

Association and the West Branch of the YMCA; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston is a past board member of the Community

College of Philadelphia, the West Philadelphia Branch of

Settlement Music School, the Philadelphia Orchestra's Cultural

Diversity Council, Friends of the Free Library, Philadelphia

Arts in Education Partnership, Dignity Housing and the Mayor's

Cultural Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston has lectured at events sponsored by the

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University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, the African

American Museum of Philadelphia, the Free Library of

Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the

Philadelphia Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising

Executives; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, in recognition of her leadership, activism

and accomplishments, Ms. Aulston was named the first recipient

of the Community College of Philadelphia Community Leadership

Award; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston's numerous other awards and citations

include the 1997 National Council of Negro Women Community

Leader Award, the Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia Women in

the Arts Award, the Philadelphia Daily News Outstanding

Community Program Award, the League of Women Voters Living the

Spirit of the Constitution Award and the Allstate Outstanding

Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston is a recent recipient of the Pioneer

Award, given by the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress

to individuals who have overcome obstacles in dedication to

their mission; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston believes that the "economic and social

health of a community is directly related to that community's

commitment to support an appreciation of the arts"; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Aulston is a proud and ever faithful member of

the Pinn Memorial Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes Ms.

Aulston's tireless dedication to the City of Philadelphia and

her lifelong commitment to the arts and social advocacy;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and

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honor the work, activism, leadership and courage of Frances P.

Aulston of the City of Philadelphia during "Black History Month

2015"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That, during this time of celebration and attendant

recognition of the contributions of people of color to the

canvas of American life, the House of Representatives extend

heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Aulston for her cultural and civic

leadership and her lifelong commitment to the arts and social

advocacy in the City of Philadelphia and nationwide.

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