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Whereas, Otis Lyons Jr., whose 1987 election restored minority representation on what had been an all-white Pittsburgh City Council, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2004, of complications from liver disease. He was 76; and
Whereas, Embarrassed by the absence of black representation on council after the 1985 election, city Democratic leaders rallied around Mr. Lyons. In a rare display of unity, all of the city's Democratic ward chairs endorsed Mr. Lyons, who had then served 35 years in the Allegheny County register of will office; and
Whereas, Mr. Lyons, of Lawrenceville, was elected to a four-year term on City Council in 1987, but in the same year Pittsburghers decided to elect council's nine members by district rather than at large. In 1989, with his at-large seat expiring, he went to court to try to finish his original four-year term. He lost the case in 1991; and
Whereas, while on Council Mr. Lyons had the respect of all whom he met. Sophie Masloff, the mayor at the time, recalled a "profound respect for him." In addition, Mr. Lyons service to the city, both in and out of council, would inspire other black leaders in the city for years to come; and
Whereas, Born in Lawrenceville, Mr. Lyons graduated from Schenley High School in 1946, attended Beaver County Community College, and the Community College of Allegheny County. He later earned an insurance license and went on to earn a master's degree in public management from Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Lyons also served in the Army during the Korean War; and
Whereas, He was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church in East Liberty, where he served as an elder. He also was a member of the board of the Catholic Youth Association of Pittsburgh and was a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He is survived by his wife, Dolores, and a brother, Shelly, of Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas, Throughout his life and career, Mr. Lyons, continually exemplified the highest level of excellence through his work, and proved to be in every way possible, an integral part of our community, city and history.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh joins the community in giving honor and praise to the life and works of Otis Lyons Jr. and extend deepest sympathies to his family, friends and many admirers.