Guide to the Mark Pollock Papers, 1986-1989
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Mark Pollock Papers
- Creator
- Pollock, Mark
- Collection Number
- MSS#526
- Extent
- 2 linear feet (3 boxes)
- Date
- 1986-1989
- Abstract
- Mark Pollock served on Pittsburgh's city council from 1986 to 1989. During his term, Pollock sponsored ordinances for limiting smoking in public places, curbing graffiti, and preserving historic buildings. He also proposed a gay rights ordinance that would have outlawed discrimination based sexual orientation, but the measure failed to pass. The collection includes correspondence, copies of ordinances and resolutions, drafts of speeches, and files relating to the gay rights ordinance.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Mark Pollock served on Pittsburgh's city council from 1986 to 1989. Born in 1951, Pollack was raised in Squirrel Hill and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. He received a B.A. in Chemistry from Washington and Jefferson College in 1973 and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Law in 1979. Pollok clerked for Allegheny Court of Common Pleas Judge Paul R. Zavarella from 1979 to 1983, and later became a partner in the law firm Fingeret, Pollock, Cohen and Zavarella.
Pollock's political activity began in the late 1970s when he managed campaigns for Allegheny County Commissioner Cyril Wecht and city councilwoman Michelle Madoff. After an unsuccessful run in 1983, Pollock was elected to the city council in 1986. He introduced a Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance, which became law in 1987, that placed limits on smoking in offices, restaurants, and public places. The following year he proposed a "gay rights" ordinance that would have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. The measure failed to pass by one vote. Pollock also sponsored ordinances aimed at curbing graffiti and protecting historic buildings in the city. During his tenure, Pollock had stints as Chairman on the Planning, Housing and Development and Finance committees.
Twice during his term, Pollock sought medical treatment for a stress-related eating disorder. In 1989, Pollock announced that he would not seek another term. In a public statement, Pollock explained his inability to compromise his principles prevented him from continuing as a member of the city council. He later served as a special counsel in Mayor Tom Murphy's administration.
Scope and Content Notes
The Mark Pollock Papers are housed in two boxes and divided into three series: Series I: Correspondence, Series II: Gay Rights Ordinance Papers, and Series III: Miscellaneous Papers. The collection consists entirely of photocopies of the original documents.
The first series consists of outgoing correspondence sent by Mark Pollock during his city council term. Among those he wrote to were his constituents, business owners, city officials, journalists, and members of local organizations, such as the The letters document Pollock's effort to gain support for legislation he proposed, such as the gay rights and anti-smoking ordinances. Pollock responded to both supporters and detractors, often attaching supporting documents, including transcripts of city council meetings, copies of proposed resolutions and ordinances, press releases, as evidence of actions taken as a city councilman. Also revealed is Pollock's interest in other areas, such as reducing crime, attracting businesses to Pittsburgh, removing religious displays from city buildings, establishing a code of ethics for the city council, and AIDS awareness. The second series contains papers related to the gay rights ordinance that Pollock sponsored in 1988. The files include letters of support and opposition to the measure addressed to Pollock. Also contained in this series are transcripts of a public hearing and committee meeting focusing on the ordinance and copies of similar ordinances that had passed in other cities.
The third series includes copies of resolutions Pollock sponsored, speeches, and proposed legislation. The ceremonial resolutions, some of which were defeated or never introduced according to notes on the documents, cover topics such as women's safety, AIDS awareness, support for the Pittsburgh Pirates, remembrance of the Holocaust, and disposal of radioactive materials. Also found in this series is a draft of a speech Pollock gave to announce that he would not seek another term, a profile in the Pittsburgh Press Magazine, a copy of the anti-smoking ordinance, and material relating to the display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Pittsburgh.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mark Pollock on June 26, 1991.
Preferred Citation
Mark Pollock Papers, 1986-1989, MSS#526, Rauh Jewish Archives, Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Matt Strauss in May 18, 2009.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
One folder of photographs from the collection has been cataloged as MSQ#526, 1986-1988. Included are photographs of Pollock with Mayor Richard Caliguiri and former Carnegie Mellon University president Richard Cyert.
Subjects
- Pittsburgh (Pa.) City Council
- Pollock, Mark
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)--Politics and government.
- Gay rights--Law and legislation--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Smoking--Law and legislation--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh