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File #: 2006-0783    Version: 1
Type: Proclamation Status: Adopted
File created: 9/19/2006 In control: City Council
On agenda: Final action:
Enactment date: 9/19/2006 Enactment #: 554
Effective date:    
Title: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Craig "Porky" Chedwick, is a pioneer in radio broadcast and the music industry in Pittsburgh; and that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby proclaim Saturday, September 23, 2006 as "Porky Chedwick Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.
Sponsors: Jeffrey S. Koch
Indexes: PROCLAMATION - MR. KOCH
Attachments: 1. 2006-0783.doc
Body
WHEREAS, Craig "Porky" Chedwick was born February 4, 1918, the second of ten children. A graduate of Munhall High School, Porky, soon became well known as a public address announcer at local sporting events. He began broadcasting August 1, 1948 on WHOD AM 860, the Station of Nations, in Homestead, PA; and

WHEREAS, his five-minute sports commentary program quickly expanded to include a twenty-minute program aired on Saturdays presenting a combination of sports and music. That twenty-minute program soon became a five hour/seven days a week program. The Masterful Rhythm, Blues, and Jazz Show was a hit in the City of Pittsburgh. The "Dadio of the Radio" was born; and

WHEREAS, the "the Bossman's" daily shows soon became a reason for "Dancing in the Streets." Once, he suggested that Pittsburgh teens just stop and dance, the tunnels, parkways, and bridges in Pittsburgh became parking lots when listeners got out of their vehicles, and danced. On another occasion, Porky interrupted the broadcast to urge, "Blow your horn." That request was quickly met with car horns blasting throughout the city; and

WHEREAS, in 1956, WHOD became WAMO. "The Platter Pushin' Papa" was always ahead of the curve on social matters. He used his shows popularity to actively crusade against juvenile delinquency and to promote a healthy lifestyle free of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco; and

WHEREAS, "Pork the Tork's" on-air recordings and biographies have been preserved for posterity in Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame among other radio icons - he is the only Pittsburgher so honored; and

WHEREAS, Porky can be currently heard on Oldies WKFB Saturdays, noon-3 p.m. He and his wife, Jeanie, still live in Brookline, a neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh. His son, Paul, lives in Mt. Washington in the City of Pittsburgh and son, Michael, lives in Atlanta, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Senator Wayne Fontana and the Allegheny County delegation will be designating the week, beg...

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