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WHEREAS, Henry Reese was born and raised in Munhall, Pennsylvania, graduating from Munhall High School in 1967 before earning a degree in Humanities from the Johns Hopkins University, where he was inducted in Phi Beta Kappa, and later pursuing graduate studies at the State University of Buffalo; and,
WHEREAS, alongside his wife Diane Samuels, Henry co-founded City of Asylum in Pittsburgh in 2004, creating a sanctuary for persecuted writers and artists, offering them housing, financial support, and a platform to share their voices; and,
WHEREAS, under Henry’s leadership, City of Asylum has become one of the world’s largest safe havens for exiled writers and artists, strengthening Pittsburgh’s reputation as a beacon for free expression, human rights, and cross-cultural dialogue; and,
WHEREAS, Henry has been widely recognized for his dedication to advocacy and literature, receiving accolades such as the 2004 Purpose Prize Fellowship, as well as honorary degrees from Seton Hill University and Chatham University; and,
WHEREAS, beyond his work with City of Asylum, Henry has enriched Pittsburgh’s literary and cultural landscape by serving for 14 years as a dedicated board member on the Programming Advisory Board of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust; and,
WHEREAS, after serving as board chair for City of Asylum, Reese has recently stepped down, leaving behind a lasting legacy of advocacy, inclusivity, and cultural enrichment.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does commend Henry Reese for his extraordinary contributions to the arts, human rights, and the cultural fabric of Pittsburgh; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare, March 18, 2025, to be “Henry Reese Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.