body
WHEREAS, Slovak immigrants formed the John Kollar Slovak Literary Society of Pittsburgh, affectionately known as the Kollar Club, on May 5th, 1912, based on Slovak traditions and community spirit; and,
WHEREAS, the Kollar Club provided these immigrants with the opportunity to learn English, which was a required skill to get good jobs in Pittsburgh's mines, mills and factories; and,
WHEREAS, today, the descendants of the Slovak immigrants reconnect with their heritage at the Kollar Club, singing native folksongs and enjoying traditional foods such as sausage, noodles and cabbage; and,
WHEREAS, the Kollar Club also provides Slovak language courses, which provide club members the opportunity to relate to their ancestors' experience of learning English, to be able to converse when they travel back to the old country, and to preserve the Slovak culture in Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, the 100th Year Anniversary of the Kollar Club is this July of, and the Club will honor this milestone with a celebration of the club's vitality and support of the Slovak community over the years and a kick off for another 100 years of culture and community; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the Kollar Club as an institution on Pittsburgh's South Side, where it makes an important contribution in maintaining the culture of Pittsburgh's Slovak immigrants and their descendants, offering a place for their community and culture to thrive, and thereby supports the diversity of the city; and,
title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare ___, 2013 to be "Kollar Club Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN BRUCE A. KRAUS
CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARLENE M. HARRIS AND COUNCILMEMBERS REV. RICKY V. BURGESS, COREY O'CONNOR, PATRICK DOWD, NATALIA RUDIAK, R. DANIEL LAVELLE, WILLIAM PEDUTO, AND THERESA KAIL-SMITH