Twilight in the Garden

Congressman Dwight Evans

Congressman Dwight Evans represents Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia, and parts of North, South, and Center City Philadelphia. He was first elected in a special election in November 2016. Before his election to Congress, he served as a state representative and made history as the first African-American chairman of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee.

In Washington, he serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Social Security, Medicare, taxes, and trade. He continues to champion poverty-busting policies like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

During his tenure in Congress, his legislative accomplishments include laws to help small businesses, to promote peer mentorship across the child welfare system, and to improve the diversity of our nation’s military service academies.

He also voted for Biden-era accomplishments such as the first major federal gun reform law in nearly 30 years, cutting the cost of prescription medications like insulin for millions of Americans, and the nation’s largest investment ever in fighting climate change. Congressman Evans also co-led the Reconnecting Communities initiative, which later became a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and Black Maternal Health Caucus, Congressman Evans continues to place Philadelphians at the forefront of national policy discussions.

Congressman Evans is a graduate of Germantown High School, the Community College of Philadelphia, and LaSalle University. As a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, he is proudly working to rebuild Philadelphia and America, block by block!

Matt Rader, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

As the 37^th President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Matt works to unlock the superpower embedded in each of us to use gardening to build a healthier, happier world.  PHS’s mission of using horticulture to advance the health and well-being of Greater Philadelphia is powered by thousands of members, volunteers, and partners who invest their time, money, and passion. PHS works on the ground in 250 city and suburban neighborhoods, offers 20 public gardens and landscapes, produces the Philadelphia Flower Show, the country’s largest horticultural event, and offers education, community, and an award-winning magazine for plant lovers.

Matt received his Bachelor’s in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, a Master’s in Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership from Bryn Mawr College. He is a 2020 Eisenhower Fellow, and his professional experiences include the Fairmount Park Commission, Urban Land Institute, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and McKinsey and Company.  He lives in Center City Philadelphia with his partner, Michael Smith, a conductor and organist.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827 that uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia Region. PHS programs create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people. PHS’s work spans 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer. For information and to support this impactful work, please visit PHSonline.org.