pahousearchives

BHM: James D. Williams

James “Jim” D. Williams was born on February 18, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland where he graduated from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in 1961. His family then moved to Philadelphia where Williams enrolled and later graduated from Brown’s Preparatory School.

Following his graduation, Williams was an in-house investigator for the Food Fair grocery chain in Philadelphia. He then opened his own private detective agency in Philadelphia. Some of the ads from his private agency are below:

Williams continued as a licensed private detective for the state from 1974 to 1980. At the same time, he was the Chair of the Committee to Elect Lucien E. Blackwell for mayor of Philadelphia in 1978. In addition, he was the chair of the 46^th Ward Democratic Executive Committee. He was heavily involved in local politics which led him to run for the state house.

Williams was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representative for the 1981 term representing the 188^th legislative district in Philadelphia. He was member of the Federal-State Relations, Finance, Liquor Control, and Urban Affairs Committees during his short time in office. He had one bill be signed into law: House Bill 1004 which provided revenue for cities by imposing a tax on those engaging in certain businesses. In 1985, he was the only Member from Pennsylvania to be a representative of the National State Governor’s Council and National State Legislative Caucus. He died on March 13, 1985 in Philadelphia.

During the reading of his condolence resolution, Speaker K. Leroy Irvis explained that “Mr. Williams was totally involved in the concerns and well-being of his fellowman and the betterment of his community. His primary interest was in combating the street crime in his district, working to eliminate drug problems and finding out what was really going on his district.” [1]

[1] House Journal, April 10, 1985, pg. 488.

BHM: Edward Wiggins

Edward A. Wiggins, more affectionately known as “Sonny” was born on March 13, 1933 in Philadelphia. He graduated from John Bartram High School in 1951. He later attended Temple University School of Business before being drafted in the United States military in 1954 during the Korean Conflict. Wiggins was a Corporal where he served on active duty for two years and was later in the Army Reserve.

Following his military service, Wiggins was a building administrator for the Philadelphia State Office Building from 1971 to 1975. He was also the equal employment supervisor for the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and a clerk of the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes. Locally, Wiggins was heavily involved in politics as a member of the Philadelphia Democratic Executive Committee.

Wiggins was elected to the House in a Special Election in 1976 after his predecessor, Earl Vann, won a seat on Philadelphia City Council. Wiggins served five more nonconsecutive terms until 1988. During the 1983 term, Wiggins was the prime sponsor of a variety of bills dealing with voting rights and voting assistance for seniors and those with disabilities.

In addition, Wiggins was appointed Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the Crisis in Staffing of Welfare Offices in the Commonwealth in 1984. Later in 1987 and 1988, he was appointed as a member of the Select Committee to Investigate Alcohol Abuse in Pennsylvania Higher Institutions of Higher Education, and to the Select Committee to Study Autism in the Commonwealth.

After his House service, Wiggins was an administrator for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. He died on March 9, 2015 in Philadelphia and is interred in Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Bucks County, PA.

BHM: John F. White Jr.

John F. White Jr. was born in Philadelphia on March 25, 1949. White graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1966 before receiving his B.A. in health and physical education from West Chester State College in 1969, and a B.A. in journalism from Lincoln University. He later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government for Senior Executives. White became a leader in Philadelphia politics as a member of the 10^th Ward Democratic Committee from 1972 to 1976, and Chair of the Government Action Committee. In addition, White was the director of Health and Welfare for the Philadelphia Urban League, and director of Counseling and Referral for the Philadelphia Urban Coalition before his time in office.

White won a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1977 term serving the 200^th legislative district. He was the first African American to serve the 200th! During his time in office, White was the sponsor of HB 1785 of 1977 which added provisions to the discontinuance of utilities at leased properties. He also sponsored legislation dealing with social welfare, prison reform, gun restrictions, and other public policy issues.

White along with David Richardson conducted the public hearings in state prisons. These were the first hearings to take place physically in the state prisons. He was also elected co-chairman of the Philadelphia Delegation in the House. He continued serving his district until November 13, 1981 when he resigned to take a position on the Philadelphia City Council.

During his time on the Council (1981-1987), White was crucial to the health and human services departments. He helped to increase awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and promoted improvements to the Philadelphia hospital system. Also important was his work with row homes which were sinking in the Logan neighborhood in Philadelphia during the mid-1980s.

White returned to Harrisburg when he was appointed by Governor Robert P. Casey to be the Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare from 1987 to 1991. He was the first African American to hold that position. During this time, he created the “One Church-One Child’ program which led 600 Pennsylvania foster care children to find permanent homes. He also created improvements to the state wide mental health system by closing old hospitals and introducing the “people-first” program, now known as the Community Behavioral Health system.

Following his service in the Casey administration, White was the Vice President at Kiddler Peabody, an investment firm. There he helped improve the Los Angeles Transportation system and health care facilities around the nation.

His reputation for improving the lives of underprivileged communities led President Bill Clinton to appoint White as Executive Director of Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) from 1993 to 1997. It was during this time that White helped establish easily accessible health centers near public housing developments in addition to creating employment and training program centers.

For the last twenty plus years, White has been the President and CEO of The Consortium which is a behavioral health facility that offers programs for those suffering from addition, behavioral issues, and intellectual disabilities across Philadelphia.

BHM: Junius Emerson

Junius Emerson was born on June 23, 1926 in Anderson, South Carolina. Following a move to Philadelphia, Emerson graduated from Northeast High School in Philadelphia before attending Temple Preparator School and LaSalle College. Emerson entered the United States Army on June 20, 1945 where he enlisted in the 82^nd Airborne Division. Throughout the majority of his service, he was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina until 1948 where he was discharged.

After his military service, Emerson was a real estate salesman, tavern owner, and eventual inheritance tax clerk for the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes from 1954 to 1964. He was a dedicated member of the 28^th Ward Democratic Committee where he served terms as secretary and president. He ran for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1965 term, where he was victorious. From 1965 to 1968 Emerson served the 197^th district in Philadelphia.

During his time in office, he served on numerous committees such as Fisheries, Industrial Development, and Railroads and railways. Emerson was a co-sponsor on multiple bills with iconic Members like K. Leroy Irvis and Herbert Fineman who attempted to pass legislation related to education and financial matters across the state. In 1967, Emerson was the prime sponsor of a resolution to investigate the living conditions in the women’s dorms at Cheyney State College. Emerson was unsuccessful for the 1968 term in the House.

Emerson continued to run for his old seat two more times until he was successful again in 1981, but only had the seat until 1982 when he lost the election to Andrew Carn. Emerson remained active in politics in his ward in Philadelphia until his death on April 23, 1992.

I Spy Technology Differences!

The answers to the panoramic comparison challenge!

#1. Books were the only sources for research in 1965. Now, computers are present on every Members’ desk for easy access to all research needs!

#2. House Reporters used to sit in the well of the House floor. Today, the well of the House is empty, but House Reporters are now located towards the rostrum.

#3. In 1965, old microphones were present on the floor. New microphones are at the same locations, but are now digital.

#4. The difference in camera usage is one of the biggest technology advances since 1965.

#5. The Speaker’s rostrum used to be flat with a simple “yea” or “nay” voting machine. A piece of wood molding was added to hide a new voting machine in the 1970s. This voting machine is shaped like the seats of the House floor and shows how each Member voted.

#6. Larger voting machines are now present on the House floor. In addition to the “yea” or “nay” voting buttons, ethernet outlets are available in the new machines.

#7. The voting boards on the chamber walls are some of the biggest differences, as seen here.

One Thing Has Remained

Not many things change in the House Chamber. The presence of elected officials, visitors watching House debate from the gallery, and staff efficiently moving amongst the chaos. There is one piece of chamber history that is no exception. This item has not left the House Floor in over forty years. The Speaker’s voting machine has been a constant at the rostrum since the early 1970s when new voting machines were installed.

More recently, the voting machines are getting an update and the House Archives was lucky enough to get the actual unit you see in all the included images (wires included!). Just think of all the history that voting machine made in the last forty years! A simple push of yes or no determined the fate of so many bills and resolutions, and the Speaker can see it all happen on this large box. The original voting button the Speaker used is seen here. This image was taken in 1979 when the voting machines were much simpler.

Speaker H. Jack Seltzer used this type of machine in this 1979 photo.

Things became much more advanced in the 1980s with push buttons!

Each Member has a corresponding light box to their actual seat. The light behind each small box will light up red for no and green for yes to match the electronic voting boards on the chamber walls.

This unit has been used by eleven Speakers and many Speaker Pro Tems, as you see in the photos below.

Ruth B. Harper

Ruth B. Harper represented the 196^th legislative district in Philadelphia for fifteen years. Harper was born on December 24, 1927 in Hinesville, Liberty County, Georgia. She graduated from Cuyler Beach High School before moving to the Philadelphia area. Once in Philadelphia she attended the Berean Institute of Cosmetology and Business, the Flamingo Modeling and Charm School, Philadelphia Miniversity, LaSalle College, and Moore College of Art. She married James Harper and had two children: Catherine and Delores.

Known for her business savvy, fashion designs, and charming etiquette, Harper started her own charm school in 1963, after a brief career in modeling. Her school was for African American females ages 6 to 16. During their education they would learn correct posture, beauty secrets and “how to curse your husband out and still be charming.” [1] Even though Harper was known for her charms and beauty, she was also an avid fisher. She would frequently carry a fishing rod in her car and drive to Atlantic City for the perfect fishing spot off the bay.

In addition to owning her own business, Harper was an instructor at Simon Gratz High School and Strawberry Mansion Junior High. Politically, Harper was active in the 13^th ward in Philadelphia as the leader, but was also the founder and President of the North Central Women’s Political Caucus. She was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1976 and served seven consecutive terms.

During this time, Harper was active in protecting the residents of Logan Township who were suffering from sinking homes. She also worked on issues such as help for displaced homemakers, free day care centers, dress codes in schools, and other civic minded issues. In 1990, she was the prime sponsor of legislation which provided funding for the Commonwealth Neighborhood Housing Service. [2] Furthermore, Harper sponsored monumental legislation that provided funding for the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum of Philadelphia. She was appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency from 1981 to 1984, and was the chair of the Urban Affairs Committee from 1987 to 1992. Harper did not seek reelection.

Following her tenure in the House, Harper continued to operate her charm school until 2004, in addition to being a columnist for the Tioga News. She started an educational foundation, the Ruth B. Harper Education Foundation, which featured annual fashion shows from her charm and modeling school. She also was active in her community with the YMCA, the Afro-American Museum, and religious organizations within the city.

Harper died on February 13, 2006 in Philadelphia from congestive heart failure. She is interred at Magnolia Memorial Gardens in Savannah, Georgia.

[1] John Morrison, “Ruth Harper, 83, pioneering legislation,” Philadelphia Daily News. February 16, 2006, Newspapers.com.

[2] Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives, History of Women of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1923-2020 (Harrisburg, 2020),91-92.

Homer S. Brown

Homer Sylvester Brown was born on September 23, 1896 in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia. Brown was educated at local schools before graduating from Virginia Union University, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1923. He was married to Wilhelmina Byrd and they had one son: Byrd Brown who was a prominent figure during the Civil Rights Movement.

Brown served during World War I stateside in New Jersey as a Sergeant in Company K. 63^rd Pioneer Infantry from September 1918 to December 1918. Following his service, he practiced law in Pittsburgh before being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1934.

Brown’s World War I record, courtesy Ancestry.com

It was during this time that Brown became a household name in Allegheny County politics. He became known as the “father of the state Fair Employment Practice Act,” which prohibited discrimination during employment in Pennsylvania. [1] In addition, Brown was also involved in investigating Pittsburgh’s Board of Education’s lack of hiring African American teachers, and also worked on housing fairness packages during his seven terms in office. Voted the most able Representative by the Capitol News Correspondents’ Association in 1943, Brown was appointed to numerous committees in state government:

Chair, Joint Committee to Investigate the Living Conditions of the “Colored Race”
Chair, Temporary Commission on the Conditions of the “Colored Race”
Commission on Conditions of “Colored Race”
Anthracite Subsidence Commission
Joint State Government Subcommittee on Decedents Estate Law.

Brown continued to serve the residents of Pittsburgh thru serving as the founder and first President of the Pittsburgh NAACP, and being appointed as the first African American to the Pittsburgh Board of Education in 1943. He resigned from office on December 31, 1949 to serve as a judge in the Allegheny County Court. Brown was the first African American to be elected as a judge in Allegheny County. In over 25 years, he served in both the County Court and Court of Common Pleas.

Continuing to make changes in Pittsburgh, Brown was crucial in rulings that affected numerous citizens of Allegheny County. During his time as a judge, Brown ruled that a “sick tax” on Pittsburgh Hospitals was unconstitutional, in addition to a ruling that it was constitutional to have prayer at graduation ceremonies. Both of these rulings were upheld by the United States Supreme Court. The Pittsburgh Package, a package of housing improvements, is also credited to Brown during his tenure as a judge.

Brown, right, as a Pittsburgh Judge, courtesy Historic Pittsburgh

While publicly serving Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh, he also continued to serve his city personally by chairing the Board of Directors at the Centre Avenue YMCA in Pittsburgh. Futhermore, Brown also served on the Board of Trustee of Virginia Union University, the White House Commission on Education (1955), and the Governor of PA’s Committee on Education (1960). [2]

Homer S. Brown retired from being a judge in 1975 due to health reasons. He later died on May 22, 1977 in Pittsburgh and is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.

[1] House Journal May 24, 1977, 858.

[2] https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3AUS-PPiU-ais197808/viewer

Cherelle Parker

Born on September 9, 1972, Cherelle Parker was raised by her grandparents in her hometown of Philadelphia. She attended Parkway High School where she graduated in 1990. It was during this time, that she discovered her passion for public service. Parker won the Citywide Black and Women’s History Month Oratorical Competitions, making her the first student within the School District of Philadelphia to win both of these awards.

Parker then went on to study English at Lincoln University, where she graduated in 1994. She is also a 2016 graduate of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania where she was a Masters student in the Public Administration Program. In addition, Parker received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in 2009. She is married to Ben Mullins and they have one son: Langston.

Following her studies, Parker was an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in New Jersey before working in Philadelphia city government. She was the community and special events coordinator for Philadelphia Councilwoman Marian Tasco, and also served as the first vice chair of the 50^th Democratic Executive Committee.

Parker was elected in a special election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on September 13, 2005. Ultimately, Parker was the youngest female African American Member elected at the age of 32. During this time, she sponsored legislation focusing on gun safety, victims rights, and economic development. Her legislation, House Bill 1264 was enacted into law as Act 75 of 2012. This bill “allowed for expert testimony regarding sexual violence, victim responses to sexual violence, and the impact of sexual violence on victims during and after being assaulted.” [1] During her ten years in office, she was on numerous committees such as Aging and Older Adult Services, Urban Affairs, Professional Licensure, and Appropriations where she served as the Subcommittee Chair on Health and Welfare. Parker was also chair of the Philadelphia Delegation for four years. She resigned from the House on January 3, 2016 after being elected to the Philadelphia City Council.

During her farewell address, former Speaker Mike Turzai stated that “I have been exceptionally proud, when I was leader, to work on a number of items that we got over the goal line with Representative Parker, and all the best to her in her new position on city council in the great city of Philadelphia.” [2]

As a Councilwoman, Parker represents the ninth council district in Philadelphia which includes: East Mount Airy, West Oak Lane, East Oak Lane, Olney, Lawncrest, Lawndale, Burholme, and Oxford Circle. She is also chair of the Council’s Labor and Civil Service Committee. In this role, Parker works on neighborhood redevelopment projects, home preservation, and investment in the community. Parker has additionally sponsored initiatives that created free small business training and technical assistance programs, increased the wage to service employees that work in Philadelphia establishments, and created a low interest housing preservation loan program. She still serves in that position today.

Parker with local school children as a member of Philadelphia City Council

For more information about the accomplishments of Councilwoman Parker, please visit here.

[1] Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives, History of Women of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1923-2020 (Harrisburg, 2020),174.

[2] House Journal 2015-2016, December 14,2015, 2220.

Hardy Williams

Hardy Williams was a crucial figure in Philadelphia politics during the 1960s until his death in 2010. Born on April 14, 1931 in Philadelphia, Williams graduated from West Philadelphia High School. He later attended Cheyney Training State School, now known as Cheyney University, but eventually graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1952. It was during this time, that Williams became a trailblazer in the African American community. During his time at Penn State, he was the first African American to receive a varsity letter in basketball in 1949.[1] Graduating in 1952 with his Bachelor of Arts, Williams was in the top twenty of his graduating class, and he eventually went to The University of Pennsylvania for his law degree.

Following his studies, Williams served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Korean War (1952-1954). For his service, Williams “was honored with the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Ribbon.” [2] He later practiced law in Philadelphia before becoming the Assistant City Solicitor of Philadelphia from 1962 to 1968. It was not until 1971 that Williams soon became a household name in southeastern Pennsylvania, as he was one of the first African Americans to run for the Mayor of Philadelphia. Although unsuccessful, he soon led the way for others like Wilson Goode who became the first African American Mayor of Philadelphia in 1984.

Williams desire for public service continued as he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1971 term and continued that service until 1974 and then again from 1977 to 1982. During this time, he sponsored numerous bills providing for equality among both races and sexes. In 1978, he was the sponsor of Act 288 which provided that all children born out of wedlock are legitimate. He also sponsored legislation to have schools provide guidance counselors and for schools to have mandatory classes featuring Pennsylvania and United States History, development of ethnic groups, and other important political basics. He was also one of the founding Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.

Correspondence from Hardy Williams to the PLBC, 1993

His devotion to public service did not end at the conclusion of his House tenure. In 1982, Williams was elected to serve in the Pennsylvania State Senate. Elected as an Independent Democrat, Williams continued his goals for public education, equality, and public assistance programs in the Senate. During this time, he served as the minority chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. In addition, he was also the chairman of a taskforce on violence, and was appointed to both the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing and Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission. Williams son, Anthony H. Williams occupies his father’s seat in the Senate and has done so since 1998.

Following his retirement, the Renaissance Advantage Charter School in Philadelphia was renamed the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. Williams died on January 7, 2010 in West Chester following complications from dementia. At his memorial service, he was fondly remembered by numerous colleagues and friends. Friend and colleague, Lucien Blackwell stated that “’He was our leader. He brought hope, and he signified that all things are possible, and that we as a people could move forward.’”[3]

[1] “Hardy Williams” African American Chronicles, Black History at Penn State, accessed January 4, 2021. https://www.blackhistory.psu.edu/timeline/hardy_williams_is_appointed_to_penn_state_board_of_trustees

[2] “As a community activist and politician, former Senator Hardy Williams used his voice to help those who felt voiceless,” Denise Clay, Philadelphia Sun, accessed January 5, 2021, https://www.philasun.com/local/as-a-community-activist-and-politician-former-sen-hardy-williams-used-his-voice-to-help-those-who-felt-voiceless/.

[3] “Former Pa. State Sen. Hardy Williams, 78,” Jeff Shields, Walter F. Naedele, and Mario F. Cattabiani, Philly.com, last modified January 8, 2010, accessed January 6, 2021.