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WHEREAS, Brannigans have been working in the Pittsburgh theater scene since 1910, when Kenny Brannigan's great-uncle John was an assistant electrician at the New Duquesne Theatre, three great-uncles, his father, his uncle, his brother, several cousins, and their kids have joined the union and worked backstage since then; and
WHEREAS, on October 15, 2012, Kenneth Brannigan, Jr. retired after 40 years as an IATSE stage technician and Benedum Center head carpenter; and
WHEREAS, Kenny Brannigan still remembers his first job call when in 1971, as a 17 year-old high-school senior, his dad took him along to help load a huge show "Disney on Parade" into the Civic Arena that was short crew members, started at 3pm Sunday afternoon and didn't leave until 7:30pm Monday night; and
WHEREAS, as house carpenter, the Duquesne Heights native supervises and coordinates technical activity involving the stage: loading and hanging scenic elements and equipment, making sure everything runs smoothly during performances, and then, taking it all down and packing it back into trucks after the run is over; and
WHEREAS, a leader with a passion for the theater business, Kenny Brannigan consistently worked to take care of the people on stage; and
WHEREAS, a lifelong musical-theater fan with a special fondness for the show "Wicked," Kenny Brannigan hopes to see shows from a seat, rather than the wings; and
WHEREAS, Kenny Brannigan is most of all the loving husband of Jane, father of Kenneth III and Kelli - always a great and loving family man;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby congratulate and recognize Kenneth Brannigan, Jr. for his outstanding career and inspirational achievement with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and does hereby declare Monday, December 17, 2012 to be "Kenny Brannigan Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.