RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Letitia Baldrige has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of eighty-six; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Letitia Baldrige was a widely admired author, public relations executive and expert in etiquette who served as Social Secretary during the Kennedy administration; and
WHEREAS, Born in Florida and raised in Omaha, Letitia Baldrige was the daughter of the Honorable H. Malcolm Baldrige, a Nebraska Congressman; and
WHEREAS, Letitia Baldrige met the future Jacqueline Kennedy as a student at Miss Porter's School in Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, Letitia Baldrige graduated from Vassar and did graduate work in psychology at the University of Geneva before joining the State Department; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her role as White House Social Secretary, Letitia Baldrige served as Chief of Staff for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy from 1961 to 1963; and
WHEREAS, After leaving Washington, Letitia Baldrige was hired by the Merchandise Mart, in Chicago where she met Robert Hollensteiner, a real estate executive, whom she married in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after their marriage, Letitia Baldrige. opened her own public relations firm and later served as Director of Publicity and Public Relations for Tiffany & Company; and
WHEREAS, A woman of dignity, grace and charm, Letitia Baldrige recounted her life and career in the memoir, "A Lady, First"; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Letitia Baldrige serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, To her beloved family, Letitia Baldrige 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 eighth day of November 2012, do hereby commemorate Letitia Baldrige for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
Al derman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Letitia Baldrige.
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