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Whereas, the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) is a faith based organization that uses community organizing and issue advocacy to address the root and causes of problems and bring about systemic changes through changes in policies, legislation and other means of change. PIIN is an interfaith, multi-racial, and economically diverse organization with member congregations from urban and suburban areas in Southwest Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, PIIN's mission includes: support of individual congregations through congregational and leadership development, and in direct actions within their own neighborhoods; brining more power into the larger public arena to participate in decisions that affect the quality of life in all the Pittsburgh area communities; and building alliances with other groups to work for economic equity within our neighborhoods, region and state; and
Whereas, In February of 2003, PIIN turned out 1,000 people for their first public meeting. In October 2003, PIIN held a follow-up meeting with over 400 people. At these meetings, PIIN announced the results of their work that included: The New Pittsburgh Courier agreeing to publish data from the Pittsburgh Police Department on citizen complaints about police behavior; and Allegheny County pledging $150,000 to tear down or safely board up derelict houses in the borough of Wilkinsburg; and
Whereas, On Saturday, March 20, 2004, PIIN will have their first Annual Banquet held at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. The Keynote Speaker for the evening will be Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate; and
Whereas, in just a short amount of time, PIIN has garnered a tremendous amount of respect from community leaders, due in part to their growing accomplishments in the Greater Pittsburgh community. Most importantly, every day PIIN continues to prove "Where faith meets action there is great power."
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh join the community in recognizing the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network for their dedication to improving the quality of life for all Pittsburghers.