PRINTER'S NO. 3290
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
734
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY DAVIDSON, KINSEY, KORTZ, BURNS, FREEMAN, KIM,
ROTHMAN, HILL-EVANS, DONATUCCI, MILLARD, HOWARD, GALLOWAY,
GAINEY, NEILSON, YOUNGBLOOD AND ROEBUCK, FEBRUARY 18, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 18, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Robert Mendelsohn, a photojournalist of the
urban community.
WHEREAS, Robert Mendelsohn was a renowned photographer known
for his depiction of Philadelphia's black political, cultural
and social society; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn was born in 1957 in the Feltonville
section of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn's family was one of the few Jewish
families in the entire community; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Olney High School in 1975, Mr.
Mendelsohn spent years working as a warehouse stock clerk and
telemarketer; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Mr. Mendelsohn caught his professional
break after taking a photograph of Johnnie Cochran, the defense
attorney for O.J. Simpson, at the National Association of Black
Journalists conference; and
WHEREAS, For 19 years, Mr. Mendelsohn chronicled the work of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
elected officials, activists and entrepreneurs in Philadelphia
and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn truly knew the Philadelphia community
and the Philadelphia community knew him; and
WHEREAS, Blondell Reynolds Brown, a member of the
Philadelphia City Council, stated that Mr. Mendelsohn
"epitomized the skill, affection and ability to look at the
beauty of life he captured"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn occasionally posed in pictures and
could even be seen in photographs with famous icons, including
Johnny Carson, Ethel Merman and former President Ronald Reagan;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn was known as "the people's
photographer" and was well-respected for caring about others;
and
WHEREAS, At public events, Mr. Mendelsohn was known for going
out of his way to entertain children; and
WHEREAS, Regarding Mr. Mendelsohn's life, the Philadelphia
Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) wrote that "his images
captured the celebrations, triumphs, and tragedies of black
life"; and
WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, Mr. Mendelsohn attended
nearly every prominent event in the black community; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Mendelsohn worked for
black-owned publications, including the Philadelphia Sunday Sun,
the Philadelphia Tribune and the Philadelphia New Observer; and
WHEREAS, Hugh E. Dillon, a fellow photographer to whom Mr.
Mendelson served as an early mentor, stated that Mr. Mendelsohn
"knew everyone's name. He knew their family members. He
remembered every conversation he had with you"; and
20200HR0734PN3290 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn was a longtime supporter of PABJ and
believed in advocating for diversity in newsrooms and fair
hiring practices of minority workers; and
WHEREAS, PABJ President Manuel McDonnell Smith commented that
Mr. Mendelsohn "transcended the lens with an always friendly
smile"; and
WHEREAS, Reflecting on his own life, Mr. Mendelsohn stated
that he wanted to be remembered as "a nice guy who did the right
thing and never hurt anybody and took a pretty good picture that
most people seemed to like"; and
WHEREAS, At the time of his death in July 2019, Mr.
Mendelsohn was 61 years old; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn deserves to be celebrated for the way
he used his talents to bring a voice to Philadelphia's black
community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mendelsohn's kindness and sense of humility
deserves to be recognized, as he made a lasting impression upon
countless individuals; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of
Robert Mendelsohn, a photojournalist of the urban community.
20200HR0734PN3290 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20