[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
TRIBUTE TO THE PHILADELPHIA ANTI-GRAFFITI NETWORK--10 YEARS OF CHANGING 
                      ATTITUDES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

                                 ______


                        HON. LUCIEN E. BLACKWELL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 1994

  Mr. BLACKWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding organization which has truly made a remarkable difference 
in the great city of Philadelphia. For 10 years, the Philadelphia Anti-
Graffiti Network [PAGN] has fought and succeeded in decreasing the 
amount of unsightly graffiti that has blemished Philadelphia walls and 
structures for far too long.
  Through their courageous efforts, they have educated the public about 
the problem of graffiti, erected more than 1,300 murals throughout our 
city, and cleaned thousands of properties in Philadelphia including 
schools, hospitals, recreation facilities, and private residences. Most 
importantly Mr. Speaker, the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network has 
successfully changed the attitudes of thousands of young people 
throughout the city of Philadelphia. Through this great organization, 
many have come to realize that our youth will participate in positive 
activities where they are provided the opportunity to utilize their 
exceptional artistic abilities, if given the proper resources and 
outlets to demonstrate their talent.
  Mr. Speaker, none of these accomplishments would be remotely possible 
if it were not for the tremendous staff of the network. Under the 
inspirational guidance of executive director Tim Spencer, the highly 
trained staff of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network has worked far 
beyond the call of duty, often sacrificing their nights and weekends to 
meet the demands of this challenging responsibility. Furthermore, the 
network is blessed with an army of loyal and dutiful volunteers, many 
of whom are former wall writers themselves, who frequently donate their 
time and resources to the efforts of the PAGN.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues in Congress to let the 
Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network serve as a national model for the 
eradication of graffiti throughout the Nation. In addition to the 
senseless destruction of property, the high costs that must be borne by 
the already strapped municipal governments for graffiti removal, and 
the tragic failure to attract new businesses to our urban areas because 
of this scrawl, graffiti has created a negative backlash against the 
youth of our neighborhoods who are all too frequently dismissed as 
wayward and indigent. Mr. Speaker, the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti 
Network has done a yeoman job in transforming the otherwise negative 
images into something very positive.
  Mr. Speaker, the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network has shown us that 
these so-called bad kids, are not bad at all, and that with some real 
effort, we can teach young people to channel their energies 
appropriately. I would like to ask my colleagues to rise and join me in 
paying tribute to the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. May the 
success and invaluable efforts of this exceptional organization 
continue well into the next century.

                          ____________________