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WHEREAS, the Reverend Thomas Emory Smith, in his current role as Pastor, will celebrate 25 years of service to the Monumental Baptist Church, a beacon of hope for the residents of the Hill District; and,
WHEREAS, as a graduate of Virginia Union University, where he attained a Bachelors of Science in Urban Studies, and after having successfully completed a Master's of Divinity from Virginia Union's School of Theology, the Reverend Smith went on to become the Executive Director of CLAIM Inc., owner of Bedford Markets Inc., CEO of House of David and board member for the Metro-Urban Institute and the Allegheny County Volunteer Board for Emergency Food & Shelter; and,
WHEREAS, a perusal of Reverend Smith's prior roles reveals a citizen of multi-faceted talents dedicated to the betterment of his community, having served organizations as diverse as the Allegheny Union Baptist Association as its Executive Secretary, the First Steps Recovery Homes Inc., Community Services Inc., the Youth Crime Prevention Council, the Multi-Cultural Arts Steering Committee, House of Cross Roads, Pittsburgh 2000, the NAACP as President and the Thomas Merton Center as Chairman; and,
WHEREAS, Reverend Smith has played an equally distinguished and pivotal role in the spiritual community, acting as Chairman for the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization Inc., the Center for Family Excellence Inc., and Monumental Ministries Inc.;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare October 1, 2010 to be "Reverend Thomas Emory Smith Day" in the City of Pittsburgh and commends the reverend for his professional accomplishments and dedicated service to the residents and community of Pittsburgh.