LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending James Ferlo upon the occasion of his
retirement after 25 years of distinguished service to the State of Penn-
sylvania

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation is reflective
of the purposeful lives and good works of those patriotic and civic-
minded community members who dedicate their lives and careers to the
service of others; and
WHEREAS, Our local governments have been strengthened by generations
of Americans who felt a sense of responsibility to their community, to
one another and to their families; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
James Ferlo upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of
distinguished service to the State of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Born in Rome, New York, on June 19, 1951, James "Jim" Ferlo
was one of 10 siblings born to Italian immigrants, the late Thomas Henry
and Isabella Ferlo; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, Jim Ferlo relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to
protest the Vietnam War; a community activist for Peoples Oakland, he
was employed by the City during the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, Jim Ferlo was elected to the Pittsburgh City Coun-
cil, representing the people of the 7th District; from 1994-1997, he
held the esteemed title of President; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his 15 year tenure, Jim Ferlo was a strong advo-
cate for historic preservation within the City, and was vocal about his
criticism of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Jim Ferlo was elected to the Pennsylvania State
Senate, representing the people of the 38th District which included
sections of Allegheny, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties; and
WHEREAS, For his exemplary service to his constituents, Jim Ferlo was
named to The Best of the Freshman Class by PoliticsPA; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ferlo overwhelmingly won the next two elections, serving
the people of Pennsylvania for a total of 12 years, officially retiring
in January of 2015; and
WHEREAS, As a Senator, Jim Ferlo has rendered faithful, conscientious
and valuable public service to the State of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Jim Ferlo served with loyalty, honor and
distinction, and was governed by a keen sense of duty, and always showed
a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Jim Ferlo earned the admiration,
esteem and affection of his colleagues; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend James Ferlo upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years
of distinguished service to the State of Pennsylvania, and to wish him
continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James Ferlo.