Congressman Brady to host dedication ceremony to mark the renaming of Logan post office in honor Rev. Leon Sullivan (06/23/03)

PHILADELPHIA --- First District Congressman Robert A. Brady (D., Pa.) and U.S. Postal officials today hosted a dedication ceremony to mark the renaming of the Logan Post Office in honor of the memory of Rev. Leon Sullivan.

"Rev. Sullivan is remembered throughout the world as a leader and a humanitarian. He must not be forgotten here in Philadelphia. This designation represents the least I could do to honor a great man and a true servant of the people," the Congressman said.

Rev. Leon Sullivan was the revered pastor of the Zion Baptist church. In the late 1950's Rev. Sullivan initiated a new era in civil rights in Philadelphia. He and other area ministers led boycotts against employers who refused to hire Blacks. The boycotts were successful and as a result there was a major increase in job opportunities for African Americans. In 1964, he founded the Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC), a network of community-based training programs that has helped more than 1.5 million people in the U.S. and throughout the world find productive employment.

Joined by David Fineman, Chairman, Postal Service Board of Governors and Philadelphia Postmaster James Gallagher, Congressman Brady said although Rev. Sullivan was born in poverty in rural West Virginia, "he was destined for greatness."

As a child Rev. Sullivan helped support himself by collecting and reselling discarded bottles. After graduating from high school he worked at night in a steel mill while attending West Virginia State College. "He never forgot his humble beginnings," the Congressman said. "He always worked to help struggling people all over the world."

In conclusion Congressman Brady said, "The renaming of this post office as the Leon Sullivan Post Office is only a small tribute to a giant of a man."

Last year Congressman Brady introduced and secured passage of legislation designating the renaming of three post facilities in Philadelphia including the Logan Post Office, located at 6150 N. Broad St. President Bush signed the bills into law October 30, 2002.

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Reverend Leon Sullivan
Post Office Dedication Ceremony
6150 N. Broad Street
June 23, 2003, 11am

Today we honor Rev. Leon Sullivan, the Lion of Zion. I was proud to write and sponsor the bill that named this post office after Reverend Sullivan. Rev. Sullivan is remembered around the world and he must never be forgotten here in Philadelphia.

Although he was born in rural West Virginia, Rev. Sullivan was destined for greatness. When he was a child, he helped support himself by collecting and reselling discarded bottles. After graduating from high school he worked at night in a steel mill while attending West Virginia State College.

At the age of seventeen, he was ordained a Baptist minister and in 1950 he was named Pastor of the Zion Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the Zion congregation grew from 600 to 6,000 members becoming one of the largest churches in Philadelphia.

In the late 1950's Rev. Sullivan began a new era in the civil rights movement in Philadelphia. He and other ministers led boycotts against employers who refused to hire black workers. The boycotts were successful and as a result there was a major increase in job opportunities for African Americans.

Rev. Sullivan then set his sights on employment training and founded the Opportunities Industrialization Centers. Today O.I.C. is a worldwide organization. He also led his congregation to invest in their community. He formed the Progress Plaza Investment Associates which helped to build new housing, an office complex and the nation's first African American-owned shopping center, Progress Plaza.

In 1971, Reverend Sullivan joined the GM Board of Directors and became the first African-American on the board of a major corporation.

In 1977, Reverend Sullivan launched the "Sullivan Principles." The Sullivan Principles are widely acknowledged to be one of the most effective efforts to end racial discrimination in South Africa.

In 1999, the Global Sullivan Principles were adopted by the United Nations. This expanded code calls for multi-national companies to take an active role in the advancement of human rights and social justice.

Rev. Sullivan's contributions to his nation and to humanity have been widely recognized. He received honorary degrees from 35 colleges and universities including Yale, Princeton, and Temple. He also has received more than 100 other national and international awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The renaming of this post office as the Leon Sullivan Post office is only a small tribute to a giant of a man.