HR 226 — A Resolution honoring the memory of the Honorable Isabella V. "Izzy" Fitzgerald, a former member of the House of Representatives, who died December 6, 2024.

PRINTER'S NO.   1583

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 226
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY BELLMON, MAY 5, 2025

     INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 5,
        2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Honoring the memory of the Honorable Isabella V. "Izzy"
 2      Fitzgerald, a former member of the House of Representatives,
 3      who died December 6, 2024.
 4      WHEREAS, Ms. Fitzgerald faithfully represented the 203rd
 5   District, Northwest Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, as a
 6   member of the General Assembly from 2017 through 2023; and
 7      WHEREAS, Ms. Fitzgerald notably contributed to the
 8   Legislative Black Caucus, the Philadelphia Delegation and
 9   PennSERVE; and
10      WHEREAS, In addition to her terms as a lawmaker, Ms.
11   Fitzgerald's legacy of service to the House of Representatives
12   includes her work as a legislative assistant to her predecessor,
13   Representative Dwight Evans; and
14      WHEREAS, From 2000 through 2002, Ms. Fitzgerald was a special
15   assistant to United States Representative Robert A. Brady; and
16      WHEREAS, Ms. Fitzgerald has earned further recognition as a
17   community organizer and ward leader; and
18      WHEREAS, A Philadelphia native, born December 9, 1949, Ms.
 1   Fitzgerald was a graduate of Overbrook High School and a
 2   longtime member of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and the West
 3   Oak Lane community; and
 4      WHEREAS, Ms. Fitzgerald's advocacy and vision for cleaner,
 5   safer communities extended to the Mount Airy and East Oak Lane
 6   neighborhoods; and
 7      WHEREAS, Ms. Fitzgerald fought for the benefit of children
 8   and families in her long association with the Northwest
 9   CommUnity Coalition for Youth; and
10      WHEREAS, Through this nonprofit organization, Ms. Fitzgerald
11   supported community leaders who built and sustained several key
12   partnerships among parents, schools, agencies, faith-based
13   institutions and other community-based groups; and
14      WHEREAS, For more than a decade, Ms. Fitzgerald dedicated her
15   energies to the diagnosis, treatment and spiritual and emotional
16   support of women with breast cancer as a board member of Women
17   of Faith and Hope; and
18      WHEREAS, By a City of Philadelphia resolution introduced in
19   September 2024, the City of Philadelphia renamed Stenton Avenue
20   and Washington Lane in Ms. Fitzgerald's honor on December 15,
21   2024; and
22      WHEREAS, The purpose of the renaming is to honor Ms.
23   Fitzgerald's visionary leadership, tireless dedication and
24   significant impact on the community and serve as a lasting
25   tribute to her legacy and her guiding principle, "Let's Keep
26   Moving Forward"; and
27      WHEREAS, On December 18, 2024, after a funeral service at her
28   church, Ms. Fitzgerald was interred at Philadelphia's Ivy Hill
29   Cemetery; and
30      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives expresses gratitude for

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 1   Ms. Fitzgerald's generous community outreach; and
 2      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives pays tribute to the
 3   consistency and continuity of Ms. Fitzgerald's leadership;
 4   therefore be it
 5      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the memory
 6   of the Honorable Isabella V. "Izzy" Fitzgerald, a former member
 7   of the House of Representatives, who died December 6, 2024; and
 8   be it further
 9      RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
10   Ms. Fitzgerald's family in care of her sons Ray and Derek
11   Fitzgerald.




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