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WHEREAS, Celia Behrend Liss, Esq. (CJ) has served the 8th Council District under Councilmen Dan Cohen and William Peduto since 1994 as Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, and Chief of Staff; and
WHEREAS, CJ's twelve and a half years at City Council is more than anyone has served District 8 since Pittsburgh began Council Districts in 1989; and
WHEREAS, during her years in City Council CJ has used her legal background and dedication to the community to help write the new Pittsburgh Zoning Code, to strengthen the enforcement of the building code, and to empower community groups to take back their neighborhoods from absentee landlords; and
WHEREAS, during her more than a decade of work with City Council she helped to establish and cultivate many community groups, including the Beeler Street Association, the Squirrel Hill Merchants Association, and the Wightman Street Association; and
WHEREAS, a lifetime Pittsburgher, CJ graduated from Alderdice High School, Chatham College, and the Duquesne University School of Law; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her work at City Council, CJ's professional career has also involved serving as Development Director of the Jewish Education Institute, as an attorney with the Benefits Review Board of the United States Department of Labor, and working at the law firms of Reed Smith, Harry M. Atkins, and Holley Keith & Mehlick; and
WHEREAS, CJ has served in numerous community roles in Pittsburgh including as a board member of Rodef Shalom Congregation, as a member of the Jewish Unity Council, and as a member of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee; and
WHEREAS, in addition to all of the work CJ has done for the City and her community, it pales in comparison to the love and dedication she has shown to her husband Dr. Robert Liss, her daughters Laura and Dana, and her son Louis.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh thanks Celia Behrend Liss for her many years of commitment to City Council, the people of the 8th Council District, and all members of the Pittsburgh community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares Monday, August 7, 2006 "Celia Behrend Liss, Esq. Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.