PRINTER'S NO. 390
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
40
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, BROWNE, HUGHES, ROBINSON, STREET,
BREWSTER, KANE AND STEFANO, MARCH 11, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 11, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and achievements of John DeFazio.
WHEREAS, John DeFazio was born and raised in Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Out of high school, Mr. DeFazio went to work in a
steel mill while attending Point Park college at night; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeFazio became a household name throughout the
region as the larger-than-life professional wrestler "Jumpin'
Johnny" DeFazio; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeFazio was a four-time winner of the World Wide
Wrestling Federation's Junior Heavyweight Championship; and
WHEREAS, Immediately after going to work in the region's
steel mills, Mr. DeFazio knew that workers needed a voice and
became active in organized labor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeFazio was elected president of his local union
at 29 years of age and would eventually become the International
Staff Representative for the United Steelworkers (USW) as well
as District Director of USW, which covers all of Pennsylvania;
and
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WHEREAS, In 1999, Mr. DeFazio was elected to the Allegheny
County Council at-large seat in which he served until 2019,
fighting to bring progressive changes to the region; and
WHEREAS, With the leadership of Mr. DeFazio, the Allegheny
County Council passed legislation creating the county's
homestead exemption, which disproportionately helps low and
middle-class income homeowners; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeFazio is also credited with helping to
stabilize finances, which resulted in Allegheny County's bond
rating increasing to the highest level in 35 years in which more
services were provided for less to the region's residents; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeFazio believed that everyone was entitled to
equal treatment and cosponsored legislation creating the Human
Relations Commission to ensure that all are afforded equal
protection regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or
gender identity; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the life and achievements of
John DeFazio.
20210SR0040PN0390 - 2 -
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