RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING JOHN ANDERSON
WHEREAS, Mr. John W. Anderson was born on January 12, 1917, and consequently is celebrating his 100th birthday. He is truly a testament of time, having experienced some of the most memorable periods of American history; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Anthony Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward, has apprised the members of the chamber of this remarkable man's auspicious milestone; and
WHEREAS, John Anderson was born to Gena and Monroe Anderson in Bogalusa, Louisiana. John was the oldest of six children. He had two sisters, Lena and Louise; and three brothers, Benjamin, Monroe Jr., and Daniel; and
WHEREAS, John Anderson's parents were farmers and John helped by working in the fields and selling produce. His dad also owned a taxicab company; and
WHEREAS, John quit high school in his senior year to help support his family by working as a laborer in the saw mills; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson moved to Gulfport, Mississippi looking for better opportunities. There he met the love of his life Juanita McGee. John and Juanita were married in Bogalusa in 1940 at his family's church; and
WHEREAS, John worked in the paper mills in Bogalusa. The late John Jr. was born in Bogalusa. John and his family then moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where he was a laborer for Chevrolet; and
WHEREAS, In order to improve his situation, Mr. Anderson moved his family to the South Side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, John began working for Stimonite, where he worked for forty years. He also held part-time jobs, his favorite being selling merchandise on Maxwell Street; and
WHEREAS, While in Chicago John and Juanita had four children: Vivian, Deborah, Sharon and Anthony. In 1956, John moved his family to the West Side where he bought a building. Later on he purchased a second building on the West Side; and
WHEREAS, John Anderson confessed his love of Christ as a young boy in Mississippi. Mr. Anderson remains a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church, which he has attended since 1982; and
WHEREAS, in 1988 Mr. Anderson found love for a second time upon meeting Katie Hines, who has been a blessing to John and his family; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson is devoted to his family. He has 6 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, John enjoys a good conversation and is a fantastic joke teller. He likes listehih]no~fh^6lues ah^'fiaving a good cocktaiirand-
WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson still reads the newspaper (without glasses!), discusses current events and does housework; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 14th Day of December, 2016, do hereby congratulate Mr. John W. Anderson on his 100th birthday and extend our very best wishes for many more birthdays to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to John W. Anderson.
Anthony Beale Alderman, 9th Ward
6 I :£ Wd S~ 3309/fl?