Philadelphia, Aug. 14, 2014 – Former Pa. Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Phila.) on Thursday was sworn in as the 17th member of Philadelphia City Council. Neilson, a Northeast Philadelphia resident, won the May 20, 2014, special election to fill the vacancy left by former Councilman At-Large Bill Green, who is now the chair of the School Reform Commission.
Neilson was sworn in by Philadelphia Court of Commons Pleas Judge Michael Fanning in City Council Chambers surrounded by his wife Doris and their five sons.
“It has been an immense honor to serve the residents of the 169th Legislative District,” Councilman At-Large Neilson said. “As a born and raised Philadelphian, I have worked all of my life to make this great City an even better place to live. Today marks a homecoming in which I will continue my service on a more local and detailed level, and apply my experience and relationships in the General Assembly toward such important issues as education funding and improving the quality of life in all neighborhoods. I am so excited to begin serving all of the residents of Philadelphia.”
A former Deputy Secretary of Labor under Gov. Ed Rendell, Neilson has introduced state legislation to support job creation and public safety. Neilson also introduced H.B. 198, which creates a pilot program to provide evidence-based early screening and other intervention services for children with risk factors of dyslexia. The legislation was passed and signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on June 26, 2014.
“Councilman Neilson’s passion and advocacy for children with developmental challenges, quality education for all, and safe, quality neighborhoods will be a tremendous asset to here,” Council President Darrell L. Clarke said. “I am so pleased to welcome Councilman Neilson to City Hall, and I look forward to working with him to make every neighborhood in our City the best that it can be.”
Learn more about Councilman Neilson by watching the video below.
