One of the highlights of the Summertime Fun event I arranged last year at the Senator John Heinz History Center was to award Bernie Queneau with a proclamation from the mayor of Pittsburgh. It mentions not only Bernie’s participation in the cross-country safety demonstration tour along the Lincoln Highway in 1928, but also his earning a doctorate, service with the Navy in WWII, and his expertise in metallurgy. He also received a proclamation from the LHA, presented by Rev. John Harman. The occasion for all this was his 95th birthday on July 14 – Bastille Day, Bernie likes to remind us! Also attending was his wife, LHA past president Esther M. Queneau.
Above: Bernie in front of a photo of himself holding a CA flag at the end of the LH, 1928.
Recently, mayor Luke Ravenstahl hosted a ceremony for some of the proclamation recipients, including Bernie. Here’s part of the mayor’s intro to the recent event:
For many years, Pittsburgh Mayors have been recognizing outstanding citizens and organizations by issuing them proclamations.
It is my goal to highlights some of our most unique Pittsburgh citizens and organizations, by presenting their proclamation in person.
It gives me great pleasure to be familiar with all of the important activities Pittsburghers are involved with.
I say it all of the time, but I truly believe that Pittsburgh is America’s most livable City because of its people.
We are people of superb nature, who will always reach out a hand to help others—we are Pittsburgh proud.
Today, I have looked through a number of recently issued proclamations, and it is my pleasure to meet those outstanding individuals, and personally present them with their proclamation.
You can see a video of Proclamation Thursday on the City of Pittsburgh’s Cable Station, channel 13, at 3:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. through February and March.
Lincoln Highway News 