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Proclamation recognizing Keystone State Wrestling Alliance upon its 20th anniversary.
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WHEREAS, established in 2000 by Lou Zygmuncik and Shawn Blanchard, Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA) is a local, independent wrestling promotion group that is based in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, on Friday, February 18, 2000, KSWA had its first wrestling match at Peabody High School, a former public school in the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, over the next 20 years, KSWA has hosted nearly 300 events across Allegheny County including, the City of Pittsburgh, McKees Rocks, Ross Township, Coraopolis and many other municipalities; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Bob Orkwis, KSWA provides affordable, family-friendly events to fans of all ages; and
WHEREAS, KSWA current stars are Shawn Blanchard, Lou Martin, T-Rantula, Bubba the Bulldog, Mitch Napier and Del Douglas; conversely, the organization has honored legends such as, Bruno Sammartino, Dominic DeNucci, James J. Dillon, George “The Animal” Steele and Donna Christiantello, just to name few; and
WHEREAS, KSWA members and fans participate in numerous fundraising events for local individuals, volunteer fire departments, youth sports organizations, schools, the United Way, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank; and
WHEREAS, individuals such as Pulitzer Prize-winning Martha Rial, famed photographers David Aschkenas, Bill Wade and Howard Kernats, writers Bill Apter and Thomas Leturgey have made significant contributions to KSWA and its legacy; and
WHEREAS, KSWA is the only professional wrestling organization profiled on the cover of the Wall Street Journal, written about in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh Magazine, Pittsburgh City Paper, Washington Post, and been featured on KDKA TV as well as ABC’s Good Morning America;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, Allegheny County Council Member Tom Baker, do hereby recognize Keystone State Wrestling Alliance upon its 20th anniversary, and I commend them for their continued dedication to strengthening our community by providing affordable, family-friendly events to fans of all ages; and
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 1st day of February 2020.