The 2005 American Ireland Fund Pittsburgh Dinner Gala
Heinz Field on Friday evening, March 11

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On the eve of Pittsburgh’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, more than 500 of the city’s movers and shakers gathered at the East Club Lounge at Heinz Field to honor James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Rohr received the prestigious Chairman’s Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership in community and charitable activities. A long-time generous supporter of the dinner, Rohr shares PNC’s commitment to providing children with the tools and experiences they need to grow up great in the U.S. and abroad.

Dinner guests, sparkled in evening attire with many of the men sporting green ties, walked a green carpet as they entered the East Club Lounge which had been transformed into a delightful Irish pub as authentic as those found in Dublin. Traditional Irish music entertained guests during the cocktail reception, with dance music provided by Sputzy and the Soul Providers, a local band which performs often at Pittsburgh Steelers home games.

Thomas Usher, chairman of the United States Steel Corp., chaired the event along with Arthur J. Rooney II, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who served as dinner co-chair. The event raised nearly $700,000.

The Pittsburgh dinner is supported by notables including the members of Pittsburgh’s Founders Circle: J. Christopher Donahue of Federated Investors, Inc., Joseph A. Hardy of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands, William Johnson of H.J. Heinz, Martin G. McGuinn of Mellon Financial Corp., Daniel M. Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arthur J. Rooney II of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and John T. Ryan of Mine Safety Appliances.