Hughes Begins Fifth Consecutive
Term in the PA Senate
and Honors Individuals and Organizations for their Dedicated Service to the Community

On Tuesday, January 6, I was joined by my wife, Sheryl, my mother Ann, and more than 200 friends and supporters as I was sworn into my fifth consecutive term as Senator of the 7th Senatorial District, in the official Senate swearing in ceremony in the State Capitol in Harrisburg.  Having received the most votes of any PA Senator in the recent election, I am humbled and proud to be able to continue to serve the hard-working, creative and committed constituents of the 7th District. 

I am excited and determined to get to work on the business of the people.  In these difficult times, the need to come up with meaningful solutions to our problems is more important than ever and it is time to refocus on the issues facing the “everyday Pennsylvanian.”  These issues include:  finding jobs, improving our education system, providing health insurance to the uninsured, advancing our state in energy-related and green technology, and rebuilding our communities and keeping them safe, home foreclosure reform and a statewide economic stimulus plan that gets Pennsylvanians back to work.

In November 2008, I was elected by my Democratic colleagues to serve as Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, a key leadership position. As the senior senator from Philadelphia and the senior African-American senator in the Pennsylvania Senate, it was a great honor to be chosen for this pivotal leadership role. 

The role of the Democratic Caucus Chairman is to manage the legislative process for the Democratic senators, which requires a more detailed knowledge of every piece of legislation moving through the Senate. It will also enable me to advance the agendas of our Democratic senators.  I am humbled by my colleagues’ support for me in this new position.

In addition to serving as Caucus Chair, I will also serve on the Education, Policy, Rules & Executive Nominations, and Transportation committees.  I will also serve as the Democratic Chair of the Public Health & Welfare Committee.

After my swearing-in, I returned to the district for an Inaugural Celebration and Salute to the Servants of the 7th Senatorial District.  This special event marked the start of my 21st year as an elected official in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  It also provided me a great opportunity to pay tribute to special individuals and organizations that work hard to improve our community and support the programs of the 7th Senatorial District.  I celebrate you for helping to ensure that our communities are strong and vibrant places in which our families and businesses can grow and thrive. 

The following individuals and organizations were honored for their community service.  Thank you for your service, your dedication to improving our community and your unwavering support of community programs and initiatives!

39^th & Poplar Street Organization has done an exemplary job serving and responding to the needs of the community for 10 years.

Bishop Gilbert Coleman, Jr., has served Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship Church and the community diligently and faithfully for more than two decades.  Numerous community programs designed to empower people to self-sufficiency have been implemented under his leadership.

Ms. Ola Mae Collins has worked countless hours for the NAACP, served on the Million Women March Committee, and supports town watch operations.

Elder Leonard Drummond is dedicated to the care and support of the Seniors of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ.

Rosealee Cooper has worked tirelessly with her local community action group and the Ridge Allegheny Huntington Park Civic Association.

Mrs. Martha Hammonds has been an active member of the Dewey and Race Street Civic Organization for over 40 years and loves assisting neighborhood seniors.

Juanita Harmon serves as Block Captain, is a Wynnefield Resident Association Board Member, and works with the Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Inglis Foundation is a non profit organization that provides a continuum of services for people with physical disabilities in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Yael Lehman serves as the executive director of the Food Trust, an organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food.

Darnell Ryans, of Mantua Cares, has worked to revitalize the Mantua community and has a special commitment to help children and youth fulfill their hopes and dreams.

Antoine J. Mapp has mentored the youth of his community and is the leader of the West Powelton Drill Team.

Tomika McFadden has been a community activist since 1996 and founder of Tea Talk Inc., an organization that helps women with personal and professional development.

Katherine McKellar-Carter serves as the principal of the Thomas Creighton Elementary School.

Maria Moore has worked tirelessly to care for the children in her community.

Bishop Ernest Morris, of the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, has been a dedicated servant of his community and the City of Philadelphia for over 42 years by initiating several outreach programs to assist with homelessness, employment, after-school programs and senior care.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Harry Moore, has recently celebrated its 80^th Anniversary and remains a staple in the community.

Mrs. Christine Norman has worked diligently for over 30 years assisting people with clothing, food, employment and housing.

Pioneers International Inc., has helped numerous men and women obtain viable employment through their various job training programs. 

Marvin Richardson has served as a committed congregant who helps seniors at Holy Temple Church on Sundays.

Roy Shelley has faithfully served his community by planting trees and rose bushes as well as assisting the elderly.

Joseph Stafford has been an advocate for improving the quality of life for children by creating two community centers.

Beverly Tedesco has served as a committed guidance counselor at Simon Gratz High School, helping to implement new programs focused on college placement.

Claudia Tucker-Keto has served as a strong advocate for Medicaid recipients through her work at Health Partners.

Cheryl Wadlington is the founder of Evolyer Image Consultants and offers personal development workshops for girls age of 12-18.

Francis Walker has served the community for over 50 years and is the founder of Parents Against Drugs.

John Weidman serves as the deputy executive director of the Food Trust, an organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food.

Whitemarsh Township Fire Department, which is comprised of the Barren Hill, Lincoln, and Spring Mill Fire Companies, protects the residents and communities of Whitemarsh Township.

Darece Williford has worked tirelessly with her local community action group and the Ridge Allegheny Huntington Park Civic Association.

Wise Choice was founded in 1988 to support the community by offering transitional housing, human service programs and an environmental maintenance training program.

 

Golf Classic Committee Lucille Baker Brittish Davis Bryce Davis Leona Dixon Rikki Farrar Amy Gamble Charles Gibson II Jamillah Gordon Tia Gray Charles Hicks Cara Jordan Charlene Lee Raeven Maddox Elijah Moore Velia Moore Karen Nicholas Tina Showell Deidre Sims Dill Kelly Stewart Hairston Cynthia Talley Marlene Walker

Show Me the Money: Protection Against Recession Summit Planning Committee Michael Bing Irv Brockington Paulette Carter Nyeshia Chapman Debbie Cooper Hiram Costa Wanda Davis Sonia De Van-Lake Patricia Fennell Gail Garrett Christopher Glover Donald Graves Catherine Hicks Ellen Holtzman Shawn McGeth Dana Mitchell Khalil Walker Bryonette Watson Joe West Faith Whitehead Imani Wilkes Shari A. Williams Brenda Wingfield Nicki Woods Stevanna Wynn