[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO JOHN SKIEF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2007

  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor one of Philadelphia's great 
educators, my fellow West Philadelphian, John Skief. We lost John this 
past Saturday and he is deeply missed.
  John Skief was a true Renaissance man. In his youth, he was a member 
of the All City Dance Ensemble. He was also a gymnast, a cross-country 
runner, and a soccer player. He set city and state high jump records in 
high school and college. A born activist, Skief joined the NAACP. youth 
council at age 14 and participated in many civil rights demonstrations 
under the leadership of his mentor, Cecil B. Moore.
  Skief has been a constant advocate of African-American history and 
community control of education. After receiving his degree in education 
from Cheyney State College in 1971, Skief began his teaching career in 
the Philadelphia Public School System. He was a leader in the High 
School restructuring program. At West Philadelphia High School, Mr. 
Skief was the founder and coordinator of the Community Development 
Charter. He taught a 3-credit in-service course for the Philadelphia 
School District, entitled ``African and African American Contributions 
to Science and Technology.'' He was also the Founder and Chief 
Administrative Officer of Harambee Institute of Science and Technology 
Charter School in West Philadelphia and was the founding President of 
the Pennsylvania Alliance of Charter Schools.
  Mr. Skief was a noted filmmaker, providing video footage of his 
travels throughout the Caribbean and Africa for use in classes and on 
television. He has written articles on education in numerous 
publications and continues to educate and culturally enrich African 
Americans. He produced community Kwanzaa Celebrations annually since 
1974 and produced lectures with noted Black authors and historians. 
John Skief produced the African American Festival for the Robin Hood 
Dell East concerts and served as production manager for the 
Philadelphia Kwanzaa Expo and African American Parade and Festival. In 
1985 he organized the Respect Yourself Youth Self-Esteem Program in 
Philadelphia.
  Madam Speaker, John Skief is survived by his wife, Tonya, and four 
children, Masai, Terrell, Kimberly, and Kalima and was predeceased by 
another child. We will all miss him very much. I ask that all my 
colleagues join me in honoring him today.

                          ____________________