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Bob O'Connor did a lot for Pittsburgh during his short service as mayor. We saw in him a man who believed in Pittsburgh. He gave us the confidence to believe in it again too. He loved Pittsburgh. We saw that and so remembered Pittsburgh as a city worthy of love. To those who would dare ask "why Pittsburgh?" O'Connor might ask "why not sooner?"

It might seem today that Mayor O'Connor was an unucky man. To borrow from "Meet me in Saint Louis," it would seem to be an early stroke of luck to be born in his favorite city. More than that, Bob O'Connor wanted to be mayor of his favorite city and became mayor of that city. During those few short months it was a city at its best. The Steelers won and Pittsburgh cheered. Bob O'Connor cheered with us.

It was just before the world came to watch the All-Star game when the city looked its best that the dark cloud started to form. It's hard to believe such a bright star could fade so fast. But here we are. It's hard to see much light today, but in coming days I hope we can go forward with the energy and optimism of our great mayor who didn't so much energize us as show us the good in our selves.