RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Belt's has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age. of 86; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago ,City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward Jvl. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A. resident of the Old Town neighborhood, Dr. Henry Betts was a pioneer in the field of rehabilitation medicine and the loving husband for 45 years of Monika; and;
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts was the much-adored father of Amanda and the grandfather pf one: to-.whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed-in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry-~Betts was the dear arid devoted brother of Marguerite; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts championed efforts to transform the Rehabilitation Institute .of Chicago into one of the nation's leading treatment facilities; and
WHEREAS, A,.-native of New Rochelle, New^York, Dr. Henry Betts graduated from Princeton University and earned, his medical degree from the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts served during hisCresidency at New York University under lDf; ;;Hpward Rusk, considered ''the founder of rehabilitation medicine, iand was assigned to care for Kennedy family patriarch Joseph,P. Kennedy who suffered a major stroke; in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts was later sent by: Di;; Rusk to Chicago to work .alongside Dr. Paul Magnuson, the founder of the Rehabilitation Institute; and
WHEREAS, An outspoken- advocate of the disabled, "Dr. Henry Betts worked tirelessly to raj^se money for the Institute v and played an influential role in the design and construction" of its 20-story facility at 345 East Superior 'Street;-.and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts later worked to expand the Institute's ties with academic hospitals and its affiliation with Northwestern Memorial Hospital which was the first such physical medicine and rehabilitation residency in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts served as Chief Executive Officer of the Institute from 1986 until his retirement at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Throughout-his retirement, Dr. Henry Betts remained an active fundraiser and consultant for the Institute; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Dr. Henry Betts serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Betts will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many.relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Dr. Henry Betts imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore-
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-first day of January, 2015, do hereby commemorate Dr. Henry Betts for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of. Dr. Henry Betts.