PRINTER'S NO. 559
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
48
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, DINNIMAN, BREWSTER,
SABATINA, GREENLEAF, MENSCH, ARGALL, BARTOLOTTA, SCAVELLO,
COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, RESCHENTHALER, KILLION, VULAKOVICH,
HUGHES, YUDICHAK, BAKER, AUMENT, HUTCHINSON, WHITE AND
HAYWOOD, MARCH 21, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 21, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the United Way as it celebrates the 130th anniversary
of its founding and honoring the United Way of the Greater
Lehigh Valley as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
WHEREAS, In 2017, the United Way celebrates the 130th
anniversary of its founding; and
WHEREAS, The United Way was founded in Denver, Colorado, in
1887; and
WHEREAS, Today, the United Way is the largest privately
funded nonprofit corporation in the nation and the world and
there are 62 local United Way organizations in this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The focus of the United Way is identifying and
resolving pressing community issues as well as making measurable
changes in the communities through partnerships with schools,
government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial
institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and
neighborhood associations, the faith community and others; and
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WHEREAS, The issues that the United Way focuses on are
determined locally because of the diversity of the communities
served; and
WHEREAS, The United Way's overall framework includes
education, income and health; and
WHEREAS, The United Way builds on community strengths and
assets, helps individuals and groups with specific community
interests, finds ways for individuals and groups to contribute
time and talents, supports direct-service programs and
community-change efforts and advocates public policy changes;
and
WHEREAS, Millions of corporations and businesses partner with
the United Way to address community needs; and
WHEREAS, Since 1946, the American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the former
United Way of America, now known as the United Way, have enjoyed
a cooperative relationship; and
WHEREAS, More than 40 years ago, the National Football League
(NFL) and the United Way established a partnership to increase
public awareness of service issues facing the country; and
WHEREAS, In addition to public service announcements in which
volunteer NFL players, coaches and owners appear, NFL players
support local United Way organizations through personal
appearances, special programs and serving on United Way
governing boards; and
WHEREAS, Both Pennsylvania NFL franchises, the Philadelphia
Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers are strong United Way
supporters; and
WHEREAS, In 1908, Pennsylvania's first United Way was founded
in Pittsburgh; and
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WHEREAS, The United Way organizations in this Commonwealth
advance the common good and improve communities across this
Commonwealth as places to live and do business through strategic
investments, initiatives, partnerships and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, organizations raised more than $177 million
for communities throughout this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The United Way is committed to providing vital
programs, including 2-1-1 to help Pennsylvanians find local
resources on health and human services with one phone call or
text, 24 hours per day, seven days per week; and
WHEREAS, The United Way organizations across Pennsylvania
have made major contributions toward increasing access to high-
quality early childhood education programs and helping kids read
at grade level by third grade while reducing the high school
drop-out rate; and
WHEREAS, The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is
celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2017; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the United Way on the 130th
anniversary of its founding and encourage all residents of this
Commonwealth to support the United Way and honor the United Way
of the Greater Lehigh Valley as it celebrates its 100th
anniversary.
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