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WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is marking the 98 year professional relationship with Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Harley-Davidson Motor Company began to operate in 1903 and created their first police motorcycle in 1908; and
WHEREAS, in 1909, the Pittsburgh Police founded their own motorcycle unit and purchased five Harley-Davidson motorcycles, becoming the second major city in the United States to use motorcycles for police work; and
WHEREAS, the motorcycles proved to be an invaluable tool in a short time as they were used almost immediately to keep the peace and public order during the streetcar strike of 1909;
WHEREAS, the strike was closely followed by the opening of Forbes Field, and with the 1909 baseball season concluding with the Pittsburgh Pirates winning the World Series, the motorcycle officers proved their ability to manage major events; and
WHEREAS, the motorcycle unit also provided the first Presidential escort in the city when President Theodore Roosevelt came to visit Pittsburgh in 1909; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Police have used Harley-Davidson motorcycles continuosly since they first went into service; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police maintained its largest fleet of 64 Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 1990 to 1997 and currently has a fleet of 27 motorcycles; and
WHEREAS, officers assigned to motorcycle duties ride year round, regardless of weather conditions; and
WHEREAS, more than 3,300 police departments ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States alone; and
WHEREAS, Harley-Davidson police motorcycles have seen over nine decades of duty and millions of miles in service to law enforcement agencies in Pittsburgh and around the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby commemorates 98 years of a great working relationship between Harley-Davidson and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.