Body
WHEREAS, the FROGS Club will celebrate their Centennial at their Annual Formal on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Heinz Field, West Club Lounge; and,
WHEREAS, the FROGS club, an acronym for Friendly Rivalry Often Generates Success, is one of the oldest African American male social organizations established on May 5, 1910 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, providing needed social outlets in its early years for middle and upper class African Americans of the Greater Pittsburgh region when segregation and Jim Crow barred them from organizing social events in hotels and vacationing at quality summer resorts; and,
WHEREAS, the first FROGS event was Friday, July 28, 1911, in which a reported 600 people were in attendance at the picnic, dance and ball game held on that day, subsequently leading to the establishment of FROG Week in 1915 and quickly garnering national attention and attendees from around the country; and,
WHEREAS, in 1946 and 1947 the FROGS hosted the "Night of Stars" at the Syria Mosque, a night of performances from native Pittsburghers who were star billings in the entertainment world, including the likes of Earl "Fatha" Hines, Billy Eckstine, Mary Lou Williams, Lois Deppe, Billy Strayhorn, Maxine Sullivan and Erroll Garner, and in 1953 gaining national attention upon hosting Pearl Bailey and Duke Ellington; and,
WHEREAS, as segregation became illegal and African Americans were allowed to vacation and partake in entertainment venues of their choosing, the FROGS have maintained their tradition of FROG Week in July with a formal and picnic attended by hundreds of people;
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare July 20, 2010 to be "FROGS Day" in the City of Pittsburgh in honor of the club's 100 years of service to the African American community.