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WHEREAS, Bob James is a 1942 graduate of Central Catholic High School. Having studied for a year at college at the University of Pittsburgh, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943, and became an anti-submarine warfare specialist. In 1946, he was honorably discharged and went on to graduate from Duquesne University where he received his BA in Journalism in 1950; and
WHEREAS, his first radio job was in 1950 was at WSTV in Steubenville, OH. Since then he's worked at Pittsburgh stations, WPIT, JJAS, WIIC-TV (now WPXI-TV), and WWSW. In 1978, he began working at KQV Radio; and
WHEREAS, Bob first began covering Pittsburgh City Council in 1958 during the David Lawrence Administration. With the exception of a 6 year stint at Channel 10 in Altoona from 1961 - 1968, he's covered Pittsburgh City Council from 1958 until this past July 2004; and
WHEREAS, to Bob James, Pittsburgh City Council was never boring. For more than four decades, he saw it as a soap opera and a drama, involving interactions of the members onstage and behind the scenes. He has witnessed its evolution from being a rubber stamp under Mayor Barr's Administration in the 1960's, to a more assertive Council when Pete Flaherty assumed office in 1970's, and to an independent body in the 1980's; and
WHEREAS, Bob is the winner of several AP and golden Quill Awards, including his report on the inaugural ride of the Steel Phantom Roller Coaster at Kennywood; and
WHEREAS, Bob's official date of retirement from KQV Radio is December 14, 2004.
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NOW THEREORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends, congratulates and thanks Bob James on his 54 years of excellence in journalism and wishes him a very fond farewell as he retires from KQV Radio and the halls here at Pittsburgh City Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that today, December 14, 2004 be hereby declared "Bob James Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.