PRINTER'S NO. 4003
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
919
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, A. DAVIS, GAINEY, BURNS, HARKINS,
ROTHMAN, GALLOWAY, KORTZ, SHUSTERMAN, HILL-EVANS, HARRIS,
COX, CALTAGIRONE, DeLUCA, PETRARCA, MILLARD, VITALI,
KIRKLAND, McCLINTON, SCHWEYER, CIRESI, DEASY, HOWARD,
NEILSON, KINSEY, READSHAW AND DELLOSO, JUNE 23, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 23, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and legacy and expressing condolences upon the
passing of former State Representative William Russell
Robinson.
WHEREAS, Known as an advocate for minority causes while still
servicing the public, former State Representative William
Russell Robinson passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson was born February 5, 1942, and was a
lifelong resident of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from Schenley High School, Mr.
Robinson received a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University
and attended law school at Howard University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson served on the Pittsburgh City Council
from 1978 to 1985; and
WHEREAS, While serving on the Pittsburgh City Council, Mr.
Robinson chaired the Committee on Planning Housing and
Development, the Supplies Committee and the Committee on
Business Practices and Investment Policies; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson was elected to represent the 19th
Legislative District in Allegheny County as a member of the
House of Representatives in 1988, replacing the former Speaker
of the House of Representatives, K. Leroy Irvis; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson's legacy of groundbreaking legislative
accomplishments in this Commonwealth include identify theft
protection, rent-to-own opportunities and the Organ Donation
Trust Fund, which was the first fund of its type in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson served on the Appropriations Committee,
the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Tourism and
Recreational Development Committee, the Health and Welfare
Committee and the Urban Affairs Committee of the House of
Representatives; and
WHEREAS, He also served on the Education Committee of the
House of Representatives as the Democratic Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Higher Education; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson's service in the House of
Representatives spanned 14 years; and
WHEREAS, In his later years, Mr. Robinson continued to serve
as a member of the Allegheny County Council, where he focused on
health and human relations and government reform; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson also served as the Vice Chair of the
Board of Trustees of the Community College of Allegheny County;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life
and legacy and express condolences upon the passing of former
State Representative William Russell Robinson; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of William Russell Robinson as an expression of
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condolence for their loss and as a token of appreciation to the
vital role Mr. Robinson had in serving his community with
excellence.
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