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Recently, some of Philadelphia’s jounalistic community have questioned the role of the business community in making Philadelphia’s neighborhood safer (click here to view the post).  Here’s what our President & CEO, Mark Schweiker, has to say about it:

The Chamber’s primary mission is regional economic development.  Still, even more important than the fate of our economy is the future of Greater Philadelphia and in particular, Philadelphia’s families. As a parent, I share in the sadness of the victims’ loved ones at the senseless violence that we are enduring. How to diminish if not eliminate this violence is a condition which many leaders are addressing.

Let me mention that the business community has been a steadfast participant in efforts to reduce violence. Our political efforts range from the Chamber’s 1999 testimony in Harrisburg in favor of one-gun-per-month sales legislation to our recent testimony in July in support of Philadelphia’s efforts to pass gun laws more restrictive than the state’s. Financial efforts and backing include the record-setting workplace donations to United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2006 as well as the millions of dollars which individual corporations donate directly to social service agencies.

To offer opportunity to Philadelphia’s youth, it delights me to know and report to you the final tally on our Working Solutions program. It stands at 1,049 interns. That’s right. We coordinated the successful placement of 1,049 interns in employer-paid positions last summer. While there is still much more to be done, I am proud that our collective efforts indirectly help to reduce violence and inspire safer neighborhoods.

We will never cease in our efforts to support making this city safer and, in turn, this region more prosperous.