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WHEREAS, the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) is an organization that promotes intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration between the City of Pittsburgh and its 38 neighboring municipalities, and;
WHEREAS, CONNECT strives to identify common public policy challenges and advocate for collective change on behalf of the 700,000 residents of Greater Pittsburgh’s urban core, and;
WHEREAS, the organization’s members work collectively to address shared challenges such as blight and abandonment, transit access, sustainability, and water and sewer issues, and;
WHEREAS, CONNECT’s advocacy has led to the installation of energy efficient LED streetlights for member communities, the development of reverse auction programs that allows municipalities to purchase energy at a lower rate, and the creation of a shared economic development master plan, and;
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2016, the organization will host its seventh annual CONNECT Congress during which members, funders, and partners will celebrate the accomplishments in 2015, discuss the municipal challenges that lie ahead, and select priorities for the coming year.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) for its commitment to promoting inter-municipal cooperation and to creating a more livable region, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare April 21, 2016 to be “CONNECT Seventh Congress Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.