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WHEREAS, the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network, a nonpartisan program of People For the American Way Foundation founded in 2005, is the first and only national initiative to provide a network of support to elected officials 35 years of age and under who share the values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all, and;
WHEREAS, the YEO Network consists of officials from across the political spectrum at every level of elected office, from local school boards to the United States Congress, and provides these members with cutting-edge programming and resources they need to effectively impact policy, foster their own development and professional growth, and strengthen their leadership in the broader progressive movement, and;
WHEREAS, former Army Lieutenant Daniel Choi, the civil rights and veterans' health advocate who led the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," said in 2012 that "the YEO Network is the most important political organization in America," and;
WHEREAS, young elected officials under 35 represent only a small percentage of all elected leaders in the United States, yet many are embarking on life-long careers of public service and, historically, over half of all members of Congress and U.S. Presidents were first elected to office before their 35th birthday, and;
WHEREAS, the YEO Network has grown to include more than 800 elected officials from all 50 states and the District of Columbia who share values of fairness and equality regardless of party affiliation. Alumni of the network have gone on to serve in higher office, government agencies, and Presidential Cabinet posts, and;
WHEREAS, the YEO Network and local advocacy organizations are hosting a policy summit for Pennsylvania leaders, entitled "Defending Workers & Families: Creating an Economy That Works for All" on January 30th through the 31st.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby recognizes the significant role the YEO ...
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