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WHEREAS, Jack Mook, a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh’s North Side, has demonstrated a strong commitment to service throughout his life, and has made many sacrifices for his country, his community, and his family; and,
WHEREAS, Jack served in the United States military as paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1988-1992, and served in the Persian Gulf War before receiving an honorable discharge; and,
WHEREAS, Jack later became a detective in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and has worked for over twenty years to improve safety and quality of life in some of the City’s most underserved communities; and,
WHEREAS, Det. Mook has recently garnered attention both locally and nationally for his role with the Steel City Boxing Club and for adopting two young boys from the North Side. He began mentoring Jack and Jessee in 2009 at the boxing gym, where youth from throughout the city learn discipline and develop their physical fitness through the sport of boxing. After the boys went missing in the summer of 2012, Jack discovered that they were living in deplorable conditions under foster care, and brought them into his own home; and,
WHEREAS, the Steel City Boxing club has worked with other boxing gyms from across the city to organize several citywide events including the Pittsburgh Donnybrook, which featured amateur boxing teams from Ireland competing against local gyms, and The Northside vs. the Outside, held this summer at the Priory Grand Hall; and,
WHEREAS, the Steel City Boxing Club; housed in the old #53 Firehouse, has been an incredible asset for the Spring Hill community and the entire North Side. Through the work of dedicated volunteers, including Jack Mook, Bob Sobocinsky, and others, the empty firehouse has been transformed into a boxing gym, and a space for community events and gatherings; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and honor Jack Mook for his selfless commitment to service as, a veteran, a Pittsburgh Police Detective, a volunteer coach, and father; and,
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council does hereby declare the week of September 28th, 2015 to be “Jack Mook Week” in the City of Pittsburgh.