Expand Sunday tavern sales

The PLCB continues its policy of being anti-corner tavern owner. Taverns that do not hold a Sunday sales permit can open their doors on certain Sundays of the year. Super Bowl Sunday is one such day, and that is a great idea. Yet it falls short.

The Steelers games are a big moneymaker for the corner tavern, yet there is no way for the owners to open their doors. If the governor wants to be a hero in this area, he should correct the PLCB policy to include a fee for a provisional permit for Sunday sales for the little guys. We should all be able to enjoy a free hot sausage and a beer with our favorite friends in our favorite place watching the game.

TONY PANTELIS
North Side

Tariffs greatly aided steel

The American steel industry has been revitalized through significant restructuring and consolidation, making the industry more competitive and efficient (Post-Gazette, Dec. 29, 2004.) But your article failed to mention the integral role of the Section 201 steel tariffs in the turnaround.

Faced with massive, below-cost dumping of cheap steel by foreign competitors, many of them state-owned or subsidized, President Bush enacted tariffs in 2002 that gave our industry a chance to recover from illegal trade practices. Those measures would not have been taken without the advocacy of Sens. Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum, both R-Pa., and Rep. Phil English, R-Erie.

These individuals and many others worked tirelessly with the many congressional supporters of America's steel industry to craft trade policies that would strengthen domestic steel. The 201 steel tariffs were instrumental in our recovery.

JOHN P. SURMA JR.
President and CEO
United States Steel Corp.

Someplace special

As a member of the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute faculty, I want to thank Dean Bernard Goldstein for his recent article "Of Course We Are Staying in Pittsburgh" and his contributions to our Graduate School of Public Health and community. Dr. Goldstein acknowledged the many advantages that Pittsburgh has to offer -- affordable housing, fine museums, exciting sports and friendly citizens. He then highlighted the strength of our university where Pitt's rankings are at the top tier for NIH funding.

The key to our university's success is in its spirit of collaboration. I am keenly aware of the importance of these collaborations as they relate to diabetes. For example, I recently learned that over 30 Pitt departments have faculty involved in diabetes scientific research. Just to name a few areas, the science is happening in immunology, genetics, medicine, economics, exercise physiology, nursing and pharmacy. Members from all of these areas work together on interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems. They link to our neighboring academic sites and community partners, Carnegie Mellon and UPMC. Faculty at our Graduate School of Public Health, experts in health- care delivery and community help our scientists translate their research findings from the ivory tower into grass-roots communities in Western Pennsylvania and the nation.

Pittsburghers have a tradition of being hard-working, friendly and community oriented citizens. This spirit is also evident in our world-renowned academic institutions. Pittsburgh has reason to be proud.

LINDA M. SIMINERIO, R.N., Ph.D.
McCandless

Mellon gets diversity kudos

What a joy it was to read Joyce Gannon's excellent report on the affinity networks that Mellon Financial Corp. is advocating to support diversity in the workplace!

I am pleased to learn that Mellon treasures the knowledge and expertise of all workers, including gay, lesbian, minority and disabled. How often does such an institution invest time and funds to encourage employees to network and join networks to "find support, strength, acceptance and advancement"?

Pittsburgh can be proud that Mellon banks on the courage of its convictions.

BEVERLY KING POLLOCK
Churchill