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WHEREAS, the Jefferson Awards were founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Presidential Aide Sam Beard and U. S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. to honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service ; and,
WHEREAS, the Jefferson Awards, named after Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, are now known as the "Nobel Prize for volunteerism" and are presented on the national and local levels. In 1976, Pittsburgh Post Gazette Editor John Craig established a local program honoring Western Pennsylvania's "Community Champions" who are everyday citizens who encounter problems in their communities and create solutions to fix them ; and,
WHEREAS, Leigh Stein, a teacher at _______ in the Pittsburgh School District, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in her final semester of graduate school in 1999, and after a long and arduous recovery, made it her mission to help others suffering from the disease by volunteering with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) ; and,
WHEREAS, Leigh has raised more than $37,000 for CCFA to find a cure and raise awareness about Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through Team Challenge, CCFA's endurance and fundraising program; and,
WHEREAS, Team Challenge is a 16 week half marathon training program to raise funds and awareness while training to walk or run the 13.1 miles. Leigh is the Walk Coach for Pittsburgh and is a mentor for the National Team. In addition, Leigh participates in Team Cycle which is the CCFA new endurance training program, a program that trains you to cycle a 50 mile bike ride in Canada to once again raise awareness and dollars. Leigh has biked in Napa Valley, Hawaii, Boston and Las Vegas.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend Leigh Stein for her remarkable commitment to carrying the message and mission of the Crohns and Colitis Foundation to raise awareness about these two devastating diseases while raising money to find a cure and congratulates her for receiving the esteemed Jefferson Award for her efforts and dedication ; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, October 11, 2011, to be "LEIGH STEIN DAY" in the City of Pittsburgh.