Special ceremony to mark naming of Vel R. Phillips Ante Chamber

The Common Council will hold a special dedication ceremony TOMORROW to mark the naming of the third floor Council Chamber ante chamber space in honor of Vel R. Phillips.

The ceremony will be held in the ante chamber at 8:30 a.m. TOMORROW – Tuesday, September 25 prior to the Council’s regular meeting. Mayor Tom Barrett and other city elected officials are expected to join Council members for the ceremony.

In July the Council unanimously approved legislation – authored by Alderman Cavalier Johnson and co-sponsored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs – approving the naming in Ms. Phillips’ honor.

Alderman Johnson said tomorrow’s ceremony will pay tribute to the late trailblazing leader in a personal way. “Vel Phillips made history by fighting for her constituents and the community in ways that improved the quality of life for all Milwaukeeans,” he said. “Tomorrow’s ceremony designates a space in her name just feet away from where she served as a Council member with such distinction, spirit and skill, and it’s only fitting.”

“I want to thank my colleagues for their unanimous support (for the naming legislation), and especially my number one co-sponsor, Alderwoman Milele Coggs,” Alderman Johnson said.

The ornately decorated anteroom in City Hall is utilized for meetings, receptions, news conferences and other events. –

A trailblazing political leader and fighter who served the community with unparalleled distinction and excellence, Ms. Phillips passed away at age 95 in April. In 1956, Ms. Phillips became the first woman and the first African-American to be elected as a member of the Common Council, on which she served until 1971. As a member of the Council she was an advocate for the African-American community and women, and instrumental in outlawing housing discrimination.

Tomorrow’s Council meeting will start at 9 a.m. (in the third floor Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.) and will be televised live on Spectrum cable and AT&T U-Verse in the City of Milwaukee and by the City Channel via streaming video on the city website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.