Recognition for Outstanding Performance

BLACK BUZZ NEWS SERVICE
The Ronald B. Saunders Project
Saunders Family Archives
Pittsburgh PA
November 18, 2010


On December 4, 1972 Ronald B. Saunders received an commendation from the Deputy Director Of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Headquarters Office which was located in Harrisburg PA.

December 4, 1972

SUBJECT: Recognition for Outstanding Performance

TO: Ronald Saunders, Field Representative
Pittsburgh Regional Office
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

FROM: Elizabeth G. Henderson, Deputy Director

It has been brought to my attention by both Mr. Eugene V. Nelson, Supervisor of the Pittsburgh Office and through correspondence from the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Branch of the NAACP that you greatly contributed toward resolving a housing complaint in Fawn Township which also grew into what could have been a rather bad tension situation.
The Executive Director and I are most impressed with the dispatch you exhibited and the fine cooperation that you gave to the various community agencies which permitted this matter to be adjusted to the benefit to all concerned.
A copy of this memorandum is being forwarded to Mr. Eugene V. Nelson and a copy of same is being placed in your personnel record.

EGH: jer
cc: Eugene V. Nelson
Personnel


Racial Conflict In Monssen PA


* Stay tune for the story on how Pennsylvania Human Relations Representatives Ronald B. Saunders and Ralph DeCostro of Midland PA walked bravely into a crowd of angry hostile White & Black students at Monessen Sr. High School who where hurling rocks at each other after a white man named Kavolchick murdered a Black man named Lucas in the town of Monessen PA in 1973.
The entire town of Monessen had erupted into major racial war between Blacks and whites, and it took all the resources of the state of Pennsylvania to reduce the level of tension. Mr. DeCostro and Mr. Saunders played a major significant role in reducing the level of tension between the Black and White Students, and all the town residents. Dr Palone the Superintendent of the Monessen School District said " Without you gentlemen ( Saunders & DeCostro) in my School District my kids would still be fighting and possibly killing each other."
Monessen Mayor Thomas Delfonso said "you two men have helped to save my town from total destruction."
One of the ring leaders of the white students was a football player named Rechichar, and because of my great knowledge of Professional football I asked him was he related to the famous Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts who kicked at the time a record breaking a 56 yard field goal, which was later broken by the Saints Tom Dempsey. The student Rechichar said " he is my uncle." I informed the young Rechichar that I had a 1954 Tops and Bowman football cards of his uncle while he was with said Colts. I also informed the White students Rechichar that his uncle was drafted by the master Paul Brown coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1952 after having a stellar college career with the Tennessee Volunteers. I told the younger Rechichar that I thought his uncle was a very good defensive back and vastly underrated. I further stated that Paul Brown knew good talent, and the Director of Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Homer Floyd once had a tryout with the Cleveland Browns.
Rechichar was astounded about knowledge of his uncle, and Paul Brown.
So immediately I was able to strike a bond with him because of my knowledge of his uncle, and that aided significantly in getting the other White Students to give up on the use of violence as a way of dealing with the aftermath of the Lucas killing.
Ronald B. Saunders' involvement in the racial conflict in Monessen PA in 1973 is part of the history of the Keystone state, and he played a major role in the making of that history.
* Mr. Saunders notes that Homer Floyd is still the present Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.