Presenter
Presented by Ms. Carlisle
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Whereas, this year Champion Enterprises will celebrate their 30th Anniversary. Champion Enterprises began its existence in 1975 as The Champion Association Inc., a state approved non-profit community service agency, dedicated to enhance and improve the lives of disadvantaged youth in the inner city of Pittsburgh; and
Whereas, the idea became a reality when founder and now CEO, William R. Neal Jr. was asked by his, at the time, employer at the YMCA of Pittsburgh, to establish some community based programs in the east end section of Pittsburgh to help re-establish a sense unity following the national and local inner city decline after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and
Whereas, the idea that came to Mr. Neal was that he would begin a summer basketball league, something that a lot of "inner city folk" had in common. It was at that time that the famed future hall of fame basketball legend, Connie Hawkins, was training at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA where Mr. Neal was Program Director. With the go ahead from Mr. Hawkins, thus the Connie Hawkins NCAA Summer Basketball League for men and women was born; and
Whereas, numerous people are credited with the development of Champions. Just to name a few, Bill Robinson, Mayor Richard Caligiuri, Rev. Duane A. Darkins, Jack Wagner, Franco Harris, Kenny Durrett, Willie Stargell, Gerri Warren, Dwayne Woodruff, Cynthia King, a wide variety of board members, staff and volunteers and thousands of participants and supporters; and
Whereas, along the way, Champions Enterprises picked up tremendous popularity and recognition, endorsed by more than one hundred businesses and corporations, saluted by the Governor, Mayor, State Senate, House of Representatives, City Council and well over fifty certificates and honors; and
Whereas, having gained national attention from The Hawkins League, the organization soon became recognized as one of Pittsburgh's most important and viable agencies for inner city youth development and community awareness.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend the Champion Enterprises for its work with the youth and young adults in the community.