OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
November 1, 2016
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Taliaferro and Mitts, a resolution honoring the life and memory of our former colleague Sam Burrell.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
reso
lution
adopted by Qity QoUHcH
of the (pitt/ of Qhicago, Illinois
ALDERMAN CHRISTOPHER TALIAFERRO
resented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL on
IBT6US ' Tne Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn that bur former colleague. Alderman Samuel Frye Burrejl of the 29th Ward, passed away on September 28, 2016 at the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Burrell was born in Pahoia, Alabama to Willie and Eva Mae Burrell on September 18, 1938, and was the oldest of nine children; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from North Suhiter High School in 1957, Alderman Burrell enlisted in the United States Army. After completing army warfare training at Fort Bennlng, Georgia and medical training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he served as an Army Paramedic; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Burrell was honorably discharged frorn the service in 1960, and then relocated to Chicago to begin his career of public service as a Chicago Transit Authority bus operator; and
WHEREAS, After moving to Chicago, Alderman Burrell became politically active; joining a number of African-American civil rights organizations, including the Pan African Students Organization, the Black Panther Party, the NAACP, and independent political movements on Chicago's West Side; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Burrell married the love of his life, Rosie L. Key, in T966. The couple went on to have nine children together; and
WHEREAS, While in Chicago, Alderman Burrell. began his education in electrical engineering at DeVry University, and in 1977 he was certified as a Master Mechanic, Electrician, and Locomotive Engineer. Alderman Burrell subsequently received a degree in Finance from Roosevelt University; and
WHEREAS, During his time in Chicago, Alderman Burrell held positions with North American Phillips and General Motors Electromotive Division; and
WHEREAS, In i 984, Alderman Burrell joined Maypr-Haroid ^^hir4gton's f r©^PrTP: 9diriinisfrat!ori, Vytier^upon: his political career beg^^ h6 ^wa^lected-qs -A^^rr^an
■,' "■. WHEREAS, During his time in office, Alderman Burrejl founded ttre^niteci
V Voter Registration League, which registered more than 56,066 voters for the 1992 '
presidential election, which caused |he president of-the ibcdl chqpter_^f the
. ; NAAGP to hail him ^ :)■ • • : :[\ ;v-- '
* r; W^ Alderman Burrell worked fdi the Gity;; untii 2062, : wh<& he
: founded'full^Bur^ .-. '
■y~\ WHEREAS, Aldefmqh BurrelTyVili always be remeniber^ for his strong Work ; 7 ^
ethic, dedication, and.coritributions to African-Arnericdn pro Chjcqgo;.
arid ". .•'. T:^ ■ * . 7 \" ; 7-;; >;:; \^i7 •••;.-77t-v 7;.'v
- IVHEREAS, Alderman Byrrejl Ifedves to ch^
: daughters,;
^vSons^William, E^drdjgnd:;S^m::(Ericaj; brothersWllie (bbrb>^ and: , /
Charles (Bar^ 'many grqndchil.dren, g
grdndchildren, niece's, nephews and d host of-^to He Was; ;\
,v V precfded in death by his parents,; Willi :^qnd>|fes^e;B!|j
'(^WfiERiA^S, Alderr^qn Burrell tbuchejdthe lives :pf; all who kri^W him through ' -
his;,activism, vision, advocacy dnd dedicdtion tp his city. Hfe wilMbe deeply
^ but the memory of his chardcter q live on in those whd knew and
7.X loy^d hirriv-now, therefore^ },■ -:,?:\-\r;j 7 7 ; 77% V'7 i 7f^7;77;'V,. \'>. ■;■*.
; , BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of ; 7 .. the City; of Chicago, assembled this first .day of November, 2016, do hereby . mourn the passing of Alderman Samuel Frye Burrell, and do hereby Extend our 7' most sincere condolences to his family and friends; dn^^^
^V".::;:;,;->, I;:"/-^V; -V ■ 9/Pf^
l CITY CL£RK
MAYOR