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WHEREAS throughout the course of her entire working life, Israel (Vell) Trueheart has sought to empower the economically disadvantaged with both information and increased social services; and
WHEREAS Ms. Trueheart began this exemplary journey as a government employee in Washington, D.C., where she became well acquainted with the disparities that exists between the various economic classes in the United States; and
WHEREAS because Vell Trueheart knew that knowledge is the most critical ingredient in the struggle for class equity, she sought to obtain and successfully received both her B.A. in Community Education and her M.A. in Adult Education from the Federal City College, followed by her J.D. from the Antioch School of Law; and
WHEREAS following her graduation from law school, Vell continued to make a difference in the lives of others, by working as a staff attorney for McKeesport Legal Services, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS building upon both her intellectual and real world experiences in community service and legal advocacy work, Vell continued her commitment to community outreach by joining the staff of Community Action Pittsburgh, Incorporated, a local anti-poverty agency; and
WHEREAS in 1980, when CAPI had to cease its operations, Ms. Trueheart joined and subsequently helped to build the new locally based, anti-poverty group, known as Pittsburgh Community Services, Incorporated (PCSI); and
WHEREAS for the last 23 years, Vell has worked for PCSI, helping it to grow from a small agency funded solely through the Community Services Block Grant program, into a multi-dimensional entity that receives financial support from a number of federal, state, and private sources; and
WHEREAS after 23 years of selfless service to PCSI and the many community members whom it serves, Ms. Vell Trueheart is now retiring from her position as Program Director; and
WHEREAS the world has certainly benefited in countless ways from the presence of Vell Trueheart, a woman whose philosophy on life is best summarized by her own words, "You can be anything you want to be, if you have the self-confidence to forge ahead and face each setback as a challenge instead of a barrier."
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, in celebration and gratitude for the tireless and diligent efforts of a life lived in service to others, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares Friday, April 7th, 2006, "Vell Trueheart Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.