The late Richard D. Olasz Sr. has been honored in the city where he worked as a state representative for 18 years.
Remarks and a moment of silence were made in the late West Mifflin public official's honor Wednesday at the state capitol in Harrisburg.
"He was a man of action and a champion of the working class," said state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, who now serves Olasz's old 38th Legislative District.
"I'm honored to recognize his contributions to the Mon Valley," said state Rep. Marc Gergely, D-White Oak, whose 35th Legislative District also includes portions of West Mifflin.
Many of Olasz's relatives were on hand for Wednesday's ceremony, including his son, West Mifflin Magisterial District Judge Richard D. "Danny" Olasz Jr., his daughters Elizabeth Gardner, Helen Sobocinski and Mary Ann Babjak, and members of their respective families.
Olasz served in Harrisburg from 1981-99. He was chairman of the House Transportation Committee during his final term.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Olasz served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War.
He also served on Allegheny County Council and was on West Mifflin borough council at the time of his death.
Olasz died April 8, some 30 hours after suffering a head injury in a fall while watching a high school baseball game in which his grandson played for West Mifflin Area's Titans.
The Titans dedicated the remainder of their season to Olasz. They played their way into the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals before falling last week, 11-7, to Mt. Pleasant.
