Washington, D.C. - July 12, 2004 - U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) today presented a check for $75,000 to Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto and Shadyside Chamber of Commerce President Harry Levine. This funding will be used to install benches, planters, and trash receptacles along the Walnut Street business corridor in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood.

"This funding will help the entire Shadyside community to thrive by making the Walnut Street business corridor more appealing," Congressman Doyle said today. "Seeing my work in Washington have a visible positive impact on my district is one of the most rewarding parts of representing Pennsylvania's 14^th District in Congress."

"The funding that Congressman Doyle secured will help one of Pittsburgh's finest business districts continue to flourish," said Councilman William Peduto. "It is the business districts and communities in distinctive neighborhoods like Shadyside that help make Pittsburgh a great city."

"Last year, Bill Peduto asked me whether I could find some federal funding to help Shadyside," Congressman Doyle said in presenting a mock check for $75,000 to Councilman Peduto and Mr. Levine. "I told him that I would try, and I worked for a number of months to include funding for this project in the HUD funding bill for this year. I was successful in those efforts, and the bill was signed into law late last year. Now the funding is available and the project can begin in the near future. I'm glad that I was able to secure federal funding for this much-needed investment in Shadyside's business district."

"We are very pleased with Representative Mike Doyle's and Councilman Bill Peduto's fine efforts and extraordinary teamwork in bringing betterment to the business district of Shadyside. The benches and planters will be appreciated by everyone." said Harry Levine, Shadyside Chamber of Commerce President.

This funding was included in H.R. 2673, the Fiscal Year 2004 Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations bill providing the money needed to operate many of the federal government agencies this year. This legislation was signed into law (P.L. 108-199) in January. The funding was provided under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative.