Title
Proclamation celebrating the 80th birthday of Mr. Robert Allen and thanking him for his many contributions to the community.
Body
WHEREAS, Mr. Robert S. Allen was born on September 10, 1926 to Ashton Lewis Allen and Mattie Lee Butterworth in the former Mifflin Township, now known as Pittsburgh's 31st Ward; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Allen attended Hays Elementary School, Gladstone Junior High and Conley Vocational Institute, where he learned the trade of bricklaying and carpentry. Although Mr. Allen, as an African-American, was precluded from joining labor unions and therefore unable to benefit professionally from these skills, he later used his vocational expertise to build a home for his wife and five children. Mr. Allen was and remains an avid reader who became self-educated and extremely knowledgeable in matters of history, geography and demographics, often being referred to as a “walking almanac” or “atlas” because of his quick recall of facts and statistics; and
WHEREAS, a World War II veteran and active member of the American Legion Post 30, after serving his country, he began a decades-long career with Bethlehem Steel, where he earned tremendous respect and experienced great success because of his strong work ethic, dependability, integrity and, of course, skill. Mr. Allen became Bethlehem Steel's very first African-American assistant foreman; and
WHEREAS, in 1947, Mr. Allen married Corrine Davis, and he played a significant role in shaping the character of his five children, Cheryl, Claudia, the late Bernadine, Denise and Bob. All of the Allen children attended college and undertook successful careers in the Pittsburgh area and Mr. Allen is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, beyond his family and workplace, Mr. Allen was a steadfast community activist, becoming active in the civil rights movement long before it became fashionable. He has committed decades to civic leadership and the e...
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