Congratulations to Chicago Police Memorial Foundation On their 15th Anniversary
WHEREAS, founded in 2004, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that recognizes and honors officers killed or catastrophically injured while in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, through the dedicated efforts of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, in this, its fifteenth anniversary year, the names of the 580 fallen officers will remain forever enshrined on the Honor Roll in the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park adjoining the City's lakefront; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of this significant occasion by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman of the 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, a sad year for Chicago Police families, four officers perished in the line of duty: 18th District Commander Paul Bauer; Officer Samuel Jimenez of the Second District; and Officers Conrad Gary and Eduardo Marmolejo of the Fifth District; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Executive Director Philip J. Cline expressed overwhelming public sentiment when he declared, "By etching their names in stone at our memorial, we are keeping our promise to "Never Forget" the men and women who sacrificed everything on behalf of the citizens of Chicago;" and
WHEREAS, as part of its mission, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation provides support and assistance to the families of fallen Chicago Police Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the City and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (partnering with Galls) has donated more than $10.2 million dollars to family members of Chicago Police officers in need of financial assistance during their time of tragedy and loss since 2007; and
WHEREAS, on behalf of the citizens of Chicago, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit membership body, expresses and gives voice to the reverence, appreciation and highest esteem the City holds for the men and women who protect and serve; and
WHEREAS, since 2004, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has sponsored an annual "Run to Remember," kicking off at the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park near Soldier Field; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 event honored the memory of the late Commander Paul Bauer, slain outside of the James R. Thompson Center on February 13, 2018; and
WHEREAS, each month of the year, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation awards an active or retired Chicago Police officer whose conspicuous gallantry and heroism brings honor to the city, the department and the law enforcement profession; and
WHEREAS, throughout the year the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation sponsors a number of other notable fund-raising events including an annual "Battle of the Badges" basketball game; a Youth Hockey Jamboree; the "Get Behind the Vest" campaign to help fund replacement bullet-proof vests, and the yearly "Edison Park Turkey Trot," serving to raise awareness and benefit law enforcement and related charitable benefit groups; and
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2018, Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law House Bill 5513, providing funding to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, the Police Memorial Committee Fund, and the Illinois State Police Memorial Fund from the scratch-off Illinois Lottery game to include the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to benefit Illinois police memorials and now, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this thirteenth day of March, 2019 do hereby congratulate the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation on its fifteenth anniversary of service to the City of Chicago and to its police families and express our gratitude and appreciation to the leadership, and all its members; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.