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WHEREAS, like Andy Warhol, Tom Sokolowski is a noted critic of society; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sokolowski has served for 15 years as Executive Director of The Andy Warhol Museum, but he is now headed for 15 minutes of fame somewhere else; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sokolowski brought a large helping of culture to the North Side by bringing new vitality to the historic Frick & Lindsay Building on Sandusky Street; and
WHEREAS, The Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum dedicated to one person, and projects a warm, welcoming environment for all who enjoy Mr. Warhol's work; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sokolowski's intelligence, personality, artistic flare, civic-mindedness, creative loudness, dedication and passion have helped mold The Warhol into a world-class museum visited by superstars, royalty, and the rest of us; and
WHEREAS, a kind of factory himself, Mr. Sokolowski has created a great venue for programs and projects, parties, screenings, educational programs, concerts, and exhibits, and has given over nine million people an introduction to Warhol's work, through the traveling exhibition of The Andy Warhol Museum; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sokolowski has kept The Andy Warhol Museum vibrant, unique, and off-the-wall - a reflection of Andy Warhol and of Mr. Sokolowski himself - raising annual attendance from 60,000 to over 103,000, with a budget of over $6 million;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby commends this functional (and decorative) pillar of Pittsburgh's cultural community, thanks him for serving as Executive Director of The Andy Warhol Museum for 15 years, and declares Tuesday, February 8, 2011, to be "Tom Sokolowski Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.