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WHEREAS, William Russell Blakey a lifelong resident of the City of Pittsburgh, the historic Hill District and graduate of Schenley High School, dedicated nearly his entire life to the wellbeing and prosperity of the Hill District; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Blakey, a lifelong lover of music but a true lover of the blues and jazz, was an instrumental figure in the Hill District's historic music scene, having organized the "Sunday Jazz Sets" at the Hill House Canteen, a Hill District tradition with rarely an occasion passed in which he was not in attendance; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Blakey's work ethic was second to none, having worked 60 years at the original Hill House at SoHo on Fifth Avenue, before following it to its current home on Center Avenue where he ended his tenure in 2013; and,
WHEREAS, in honor of those many decades of service, the Kay Boys Club was remodeled and rededicated 'The Blakey Program Center" in 2001; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Blakey was an integral figure in the current revitalization of the historic Hill District, playing an active role in the rebuilding of Freedom Corner, a project for which he purchased numerous bricks to help fund. As well as his commitment and consistent donations to the churches in the community and the Legacy Apartments near Wylie Avenue, a testament to the Hill District jazz and blues he loved so much; and,
WHEREAS, William Russell Blakey passed away on June 24, 2014 after a life of eight decades serving and caring for the neighborhood he loved so much;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare June 23, 2015 to be "William Russell Blakey Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.