Renaming the Paschalville Library to the "Hardy Williams Library of Paschalville" in honor of Pennsylvania State Senator Hardy Williams, a distinguished politician and trailblazer for the African American community.

Renaming the Paschalville Library to the “Hardy Williams Library of Paschalville” in honor of Pennsylvania State Senator Hardy Williams, a distinguished politician and trailblazer for the African American community. WHEREAS, Hardy Williams was born April 14, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from West Philadelphia High School and attended Cheyney State Training School, currently known as Cheyney University, before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University in 1952; and WHEREAS, In 1949, Williams became the first African American to earn a varsity letter in basketball at Penn State, and he graduated in the top 20 of his class. He later matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his law degree; and WHEREAS, Williams served his country honorably as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Ribbon; and WHEREAS, Upon his return, Williams practiced law in Philadelphia and served as the Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia from 1962 to 1968. In 1971 he made history as one of the first African Americans to run for Mayor of Philadelphia. Though not elected, his campaign laid the groundwork for the eventual election of Mayor Wilson Goode in 1984; and WHEREAS, Undeterred by his mayoral loss, Williams continued his work in public service. He was elected to the Pennsylvani…