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Allderice, Obama win City League titles See Page B8
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 114 No. 8 Two Sections
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2023
thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00
Pittsburgh’s own Jennifer Bruce —a basketball legend Becomes only the second female athlete to have jersey number retired at Pitt by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier
If you don’t know the legend that is Jennifer Bruce, you most likely have been locked in a safe, secured in a vault, and submerged 50 feet under the historic Pitt Fitzgerald Field House! Bruce is a 1980 graduate of Carrick High School who was destined for greatness. The daughter of Mr. Clarence Bruce, a well-known, well-loved and proud member of the Homestead Grays, and the sister to Kirk Bruce, former South Hills basketball star and member of the Pitt Panthers’ famed 1973-74 team that finished 25-4 and advanced in the NCAA Regional Finals. Kirk Bruce was then drafted by the Utah Stars of the former American Basketball Association. By the way, while the accolades are flowing, all will agree that given the athletic genes being passed down from Mr. Bruce, all other matters of importance were blessed by Mrs. Bruce...Amen! Now on this day, Feb. 19, JENNIFER BRUCE WAVES TO THE CROWD AT THE PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER, AS HER JERSEY NUMBER IS RETIRED, FEB. 19.
SEE BRUCE A8
Ceremonial swearing-in for Congresswoman Summer Lee held in East Liberty She’s the first Black Congresswoman in Pennsylvania history by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Yes, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee already took the Oath of Office in becoming the first Black congresswoman in Pennsylvania history back in January. But the congresswoman decided to hold a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony, at the place where it all started—Pittsburgh. It all took place at the famed Kelly Strayhorn Theater, in East Liberty, on Sunday, Feb. 19. More than 250 people packed the theater to watch Court of Common Pleas Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor perform the swearing-in ceremony, as Rep. Lee held up her right hand, left hand on the Bible, the Bible held by Rep. Lee’s mother, Shelda Lee. While there were the usual affirmations for Rep. Lee by certain speakers, the crowd cheered as elected official after elected official offered their
congratulations to Rep. Lee via video. Names like newly-minted Pa. Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, State Rep. Joanna McClinton (who also serves as Democratic leader of the Pa. House of Representatives), U.S. Rep. Ayanna Presley (D-Mass.), U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). “We have lived experiences that bring us to Congress that help us move at the urgency that you all deserve,” Rep. Tlaib said of her and Rep. Lee. “You all did something pretty incredible (in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties). You really pushed back against all the rhetoric,” and chose to elect Rep. Lee, someone who “speaks truth to power.” SEE LEE A5
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U.S. REP. SUMMER LEE, CENTER, WITH HER MOTHER, SHELDA LEE, AND COMMON PLEAS JUDGE NICOLA HENRY-TAYLOR.