he was declared the official benjamin franklin for the city of philadelphia, and was awarded "philadelphia" magazine's best of philly award. his photo appears frequently in tourist literature and brochures. he also appeared on television, including "today", the history channel, and "the colbert report". he was also featured at the philadelphia celebration "200 years of benjamin franklin's genius" and in "the franklin pleaser," a video produced by philadelphia sketch group secret pants for the philadelphia film festival, appeared for every president of the united states since gerald ford, and was appointed by george w. bush to a 15-member commission to oversee the celebration of franklin's 300th birthday.