THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Congratulating the REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan

Pittsburgh (RAMP) on the 100th anniversary of its founding.

WHEREAS, On Thursday, May 11, 1911, a group of 30 members

created the Pittsburgh Real Estate Board with a purpose "to

create a closer bond and to improve conditions of the real

estate business by united action directed to the common goal";

and

WHEREAS, The founders sought to "guide members in an ever-

improving ethical conduct of business and advance the dignity

and calling of the profession"; and

WHEREAS, The organization was a pioneer from the beginning;

founded just three years after the National Association of

REALTORS®, RAMP preceded the institution of real estate

licensing in Pennsylvania by more than a decade; and

WHEREAS, The RAMP founders were strong community leaders. The

first president, David P. Black, was also one of the nine

members of Pittsburgh's first city council; and A. J. Kelly,

Jr., the association's 6th president, was also an original

member of the council; and

WHEREAS, The second president of RAMP was Henry P. Hass, a

member of the city's zoning and planning commission; and

WHEREAS, Charles C. Hornor, the president in 1948, was

engaged in Mayor David L. Lawrence's Renaissance I, especially

as an advocate for a civic arena similar to the one that became

a reality in 1961; and

WHEREAS, The 1943 president, Fred Hettling, became a county

assessor, and numerous other officers and members have served

Allegheny County as hearing officers on the Board of Property

Assessment Appeals and Review; and

WHEREAS, The impact made by the members of RAMP has not only

been local, Frank T. Trohough, the 1950 president, sat on an

advisory committee to the Federal Reserve Board, dealing with

credit regulations; and

WHEREAS, Ron Croushore, the 2006 president, is currently

serving on the PA Housing Finance Agency Board; and

WHEREAS, For 100 years, the REALTORS® Association of

Metropolitan Pittsburgh has served real estate professionals and

the community as western Pennsylvania's most effective voice for

private property and industry professionalism; and

WHEREAS, RAMP enables its members to transact business to the

advantage and protection of the public and members and promotes

and maintains high standards of conduct; and

WHEREAS, Today RAMP boasts a membership of more than 2,000

residential and commercial realtors who are dedicated

professionals who advance civil development and economic growth

in southwestern Pennsylvania, protect private property rights,

work for economy and efficiency in government and volunteer

their time to a variety of charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, The REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan

Pittsburgh's centennial celebration will be held on Friday,

September 30, 2011, and Saturday, October 1, 2011, to celebrate

its past, present and future; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate congratulate the REALTORS®

Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh on the 100th anniversary

of its founding.