Annal of The Pennsylvania Society in its One Hundred and Tenth Year Published Spring, 2009 Purpose of The Pennsylvania Society as set forth in the Year Book published in 1901 The Pennsylvania Society of New York was organized on April 25, 1899, and now numbers three hundred and eleven members. One hundred and thirteen members were added to the roll in the year 1900. Its specific objective, as stated in its constitution, is to “cultivate social intercourse among its members, and to promote their best interest; to collect historical material relating to the State of Pennsylvania, and to keep alive its memory in New York.” Its work thus falls naturally into two divisions. Its social side is maintained by the Annual Dinner and meetings held for social purposes. Its historical aim is expressed not only in the intent to collect historical material, but more especially by its purpose to keep alive the memory of Pennsylvania in New York. Even if the Society did no more than recall to its members the State from which they came, its great past, its wonderful present, the possibilities of its future, it would accomplish a good and useful purpose that would more than justify its existence. But the relationship of the Society to the State of Pennsylvania and to the country at large is much more important than this. The State that contains within its borders the Hall in which the Declaration of Independence was signed, and on whose soil the Battle of Gettysburg was fought, yields precedence to no other. Its early history, its wise and great founder, the active part its people took in the war for Independence, and the subsequent history of the Commonwealth, are among the most precious possessions of the American nations. It is the good name of the State of Pennsylvania, its good deeds and its good men, that The Pennsylvania Society of New York is concerned with; and its annual festivals and meetings rest upon this foundation. To preserve the good name and the fair fame of the State, and to aid in promoting those causes and methods which tend to that end, is the real work of the Society, and it invites every son of Pennsylvania residing in New York, or in places adjacent to it, who values these things, to join with it in fulfillment of this purpose. The Society stands on the threshold of its career. Its influence and its activity are limited only by the number of its members. With an increased membership its work will be broadened, and its purpose furthered to a greater extent than heretofore. I A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT As Pennsylvanians, we are more than just inhabitants believe one of the chief of of the Keystone State; we are also the heirs to a those is the desire to belong dynamic and dramatic history – one in which we can to something larger than all take great pride. And, as members of The ourselves, something which Pennsylvania Society, we are more than names on a recognizes the good in roll; we are also the keepers, protectors and, to some humankind, and steps forward to acknowledge, to extent, the makers of that very history. honor and to reward it. The Pennsylvania Society, in its work, in its events, in its relationships and in its All anyone needed to do last December 13th at our contributions, does all of that and more. As I com - annual holiday dinner was to take a quick glance plete my first year as President of this Society, I am around the ballroom or at those seated on the dais. I deeply proud to be charged with this role. for one, felt honored to share the platform with people who have taken part in the making of our history, I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Members and who will doubtless take part in the making of of Council as well as to our executive director, our Pennsylvania future. Carol Fitzgerald, for their continued help. I have had the support, the enthusiasm and the intelligence of Indeed, this very organization, of which we are proud many fine Pennsylvanians behind me during this and loyal members, began as an exercise to celebrate time, and I look forward with excitement to the and remember our history. Its expressed purpose – activities of the coming year. “to keep alive the memory of Pennsylvania … its great past, its wonderful present, the possibilities of its future” – is still a major part of our mission today. Sincerely, This society has not only been witness to the parade of history; its members, leaders and honorees have marched in it, sometimes even setting the pace for LeRoy S. Zimmerman others to follow. Today’s Pennsylvania Society is a living, breathing and remarkably healthy organization. It is actively engaged in the life and activity of the state and of the nation. It has enjoyed renewed popularity. People want to join this organization for many reasons; I 1 2008 G OLD M EDALIST DANIEL M. R OONEY For nearly half a century, Daniel M. Rooney has led the over the oversight of daily activities. As he took on increased Pittsburgh Steelers, shaping them into one of the most responsibilities and developed his own managerial philosophy, respected and beloved organizations in the National Dan Rooney was entrusted with more and more control of Football League. His leadership, integrity and open manage - the organization by his father. By the late 60s, he was more ment style have not only set the standard for his peers – or less chief executive without title, and in 1975 he was they have inspired millions of fans nationwide who have officially named president of the Steelers. become proud citizens of what has come to be known as the Steeler Nation. As busy as he had been running the organization, Dan Rooney had also devoted himself to his family, to his Born in 1932 on Pittsburgh’s North Side, Daniel M. Rooney community and to the National Football League as a whole. was the oldest of five sons born to Kathleen and Arthur In addition to promoting the Steelers, Rooney worked hard “The Chief” Rooney. His father bought the franchise for the to develop and stabilize the National Football League, filling Steelers (who were originally called the Pirates) for $2500, key roles throughout the seventies, eighties and nineties. He a year after Dan was born. Dan Rooney has been was on the board of directors of the NFL Trust Fund, NFL inextricably tied to the team he’s loved ever since. Films and the Scheduling Committee. He took part in the 1982 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and From his earliest days onward, Dan was involved with the the Players’ Association, and he played a key role in the 1993 Steelers. Whether he was traveling to league meetings with labor agreement between owners and players. In 2002, he “The Chief” or working as the team’s water boy at the age chaired the NFL’s Diversity in the Workplace Committee, of twelve, he learned the game of football at every level. the recommendations of which have come to be known Schooled at Saint Peter’s Grade School and later at North informally as “the Rooney Rule.” That same year, he turned Catholic High, Dan Rooney was a born leader and, like his over the presidency of the Steelers to his son, Art Rooney II. father before him, a gifted natural athlete in his own right. Devoted to his team even then, Dan quarterbacked his high Near the conclusion of his autobiography, Dan Rooney notes: school varsity team to a City Catholic League championship, “Football is in my blood. In some ways I feel I’m the last and was named second team quarterback just behind a man standing, the last of the first generation who knew the young man from St. Justin’s, Johnny Unitas, for the founders of the league and who set it on its course to become Pittsburgh All Catholic Team in 1950. America’s game.” Few if any have done as much as Dan Rooney to set and steer the course that led to football’s A devoted Catholic, Dan Rooney had for a time considered popularity. Today, professional football is indeed America’s a life in the priesthood, but two things stood in the way. number one sport. Dan Rooney is the game’s number one One was his love of sports, and of the Steelers in particular; supporter. the other was his love for his high school sweetheart – Patricia Regan. The two were married in 1952, during Dan’s Together Dan and Pat Rooney raised nine children and sophomore year at Duquesne University. While working for enjoy their 17 grandchildren. They live in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers during the summer and coaching football at his they both remain active in the Steeler organization, as well elementary school after class, Dan completed his Bachelor as in community and national affairs. of Arts degree in Accounting. After graduation in 1955, he went to work full time for the team he had loved all his life. As we join in helping Pittsburgh celebrate its 250th birthday, He started in the player personnel department, handling we also celebrate the spirit and philanthropy of Gold Medalist negotiations and player contracts, among other jobs. He Dan Rooney, whose love of his hometown has been worked long hours in the front office, and by the 1960s took instrumental in making and keeping Pittsburgh great. 2 3 T HE O NE H UNDRED T ENTH A NNUAL D INNER D ECEMBER 13, 2008 T HE W ALDORF -A STORIA 4 Guests of The Pennsylvania Society and their hosts gathered in the East Foyer of the Waldorf=Astoria to commune and converse with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.