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WHEREAS, life-long Northside resident Councilwoman Darlene M. Harris has served Council District 1 since special election in November 2006, has led as Council President since January 2010, and has served the people of Pittsburgh for more than three decades as a true community advocate; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris began her dedication to community and union activism not through her education - she is trained as a dental assistant - but through her husband, John, a member of IBEW Local 5; and
WHEREAS, her devotion to public service has centered around making neighborhoods better places to live; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris has worked with Spring Hill Civic League for more than 20 years, serving as President of the organization and as a founding member of the North Side Leadership Conference. She also helped found the North Side Public Safety Council and has served statewide on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris is also a leader in the Democratic Party, serving as the 26th Ward Democratic Chairwoman for over a decade; and
WHEREAS, she has also fought for quality education for Pittsburgh students and served as Board President of the Pittsburgh Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris is devoted, hard-working, and diligent, and has been called the "Miss Marple of City Council" for her determination to find all the facts before deriving a conclusion; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris' commitment to the community has earned her numerous awards, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor's Award in recognition of Citizen Volunteer Services; and
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2011, Council President Harris will be among the 24 recipients of the Women of Achievement Awards at a special awards dinner to benefit Cribs for Kids.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Pittsburgh City Council does honor Council President Darlene M. Harris for her outstanding achievements in the community and does hereby declare Wednesday, March 2, 2011, Darlene Harris Day in the City of Pittsburgh.