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WHEREAS, Lawrence Swanson hails from the hardworking steel town of Sharon, Pennsylvania; and,
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WHEREAS, after graduating from Penn State University, Larry began a career serving the public interest including stints with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, consulting on land use and job development programs in Ohio, and teaching undergraduates at his alma mater; and,
WHEREAS, Larry joined ACTION-Housing in 1979, quickly establishing himself as a leader in the affordable housing space locally and across the Commonwealth; and,
WHEREAS, Larry worked with ACTION-Housing's previous executive director to build a comprehensive regional affordable housing organization, leading efforts on property improvement, housing counseling, energy efficiency, and special-needs initiatives, eventually overseeing more than 1,200 housing units with a combined value of $100 million; and,
WHEREAS, in 2005, Larry succeeded his predecessor as ACTION-Housing's chief executive, whereupon he spent the past two decades heading three subsidiaries to implement construction, asset management, and tax credit efforts; and,
WHEREAS, Larry’s determination, talents, and leadership resulted in the development of thousands of affordable housing units in Allegheny County, and many more across the Commonwealth; and,
WHEREAS, Larry was also a founding member of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, serving as the group’s board president from 1985 through 1999; and,
WHEREAS, he served on the statewide advisory committee that established Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, as well as contributing to the development of what is now largest publicly-funded mortgage assistance program of its type in the nation; and,
WHEREAS, Larry was active in his community, serving as a passionate baseball and softball coach to many young people over the years, including a youthful Squirrel Hill boy named Corey O’Connor; and,
WHEREAS, Larry formally steps down from his Executive Director position on October 1, freeing up even more of his time to continue his other commendable service as a proud father and grandfather.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby celebrate Larry Swanson for his outstanding career of public service to people across Pennsylvania.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, September 17, to be “Larry Swanson Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.