RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mr. Hal E. Baskin has been a resident of the Englewood community for over 56 years, where he has served as a dedicated community organizer and political activist for almost 40 years; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his contributions to the City by the Honorable Toni Foulkes, Alderman of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Hal Baskin was born in Mississippi and raised in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. One of fourteen children, Hal attended Chicago Public Schools and received his graduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University, majoring in Politics; and
WHEREAS, In Hal's role as a community organizer he has united spiritual and community leaders to combat gang violence, created gang deactivation programs at Chicago Public Schools, led a search resulting in finding the body of a missing Englewood child, and opened a youth center to create alternatives to gangs and violence; and
WHEREAS, Hal is extremely politically active, organizing the Englewood Political Task Force, Black Men United, acting as a Consultant to community leaders Bobby Rush, Danny Davis, and Jesse Jackson, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Hal's tremendous contributions to the well-being and growth of the City of the Chicago have become a part of the history of the City and Englewood; and
WHEREAS, Hal continues to be a role model for all people in Chicago and those within the Englewood community, a living example of civic dedication, tireless advocacy, and the highest moral standards; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this First day of November, 2016, do hereby commend Mr. Hal E. Baskin for his contributions to the Englewood community and the City of Chicago.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Chicago hereby dedicates that portion of 65th Street, from South Green Street to South Racine Avenue, as "Hal Baskin Street."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the family of Mr. Hal E. Baskin as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.