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WHEREAS, Jim Ferlo was born May 19, 1951 in Rome, New York; he moved to Pittsburgh shortly after high school and immediately became an active supporter of the anti-war and civil rights movements; and,
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ferlo was an integral leader in organizing many demonstrations in support of social and economic justice; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ferlo served as a member of Pittsburgh City Council representing the 7th District for 15 years from 1988 to 2003, as president from 1994 to 1998; served as a member of the Pennsylvania Senate representing the 38th Senatorial District for 12 years from 2003 to 2015; and championed numerous causes in support of all citizens of Pennsylvania regardless of their personal beliefs, situations, and characteristics; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ferlo was the first openly gay elected official in Pittsburgh, and the first openly gay member of the Pennsylvania Senate; he made the announcement and then told reporters to “get over it”; he supported Gay Pride events as well as serving many community organizations; The Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, National Single Payer Healthcare, the American Civil Liberties Union, PennEnvironment, The Roberto Clemente Museum, The Energy Innovation Center, SanKofa Village, Casa San Jose, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Green Drinks, The Pittsburgh Historical Society, Pastors for Peace, National Network on Cuba, The Latin American Working Group, Haiti Solidarity, The Thomas Merton Center, and Global Links, among others; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ferlo was passionate about the issues affecting the people of Cuba working tirelessly to end the US Embargo, removing Cuba from the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism, advocating for Cuba’s sovereignty, and for over thirty years serving as the co-founding member and president of the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ferlo passed away on May 15, 2022 at the age of 70; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ferlo’s birthday will be celebrated with friends, community, and many supporters on May 19th, 2023 at the Promise Center of Homewood; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Friday, May 19, 2023, to be “JIM FERLO DAY” in the City of Pittsburgh.