RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Sir Nicholas Winton has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 106; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Maidenhead, England, Sir Nicholas Winton was a hero of World War II and the loving husband of the late Grete; and
WHEREAS, Sir Nicholas Winton was the much-adored father of Nick and Barbara to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, As the threat of war loomed over Europe, Sir Nicholas Winton nearly single-handedly saved more than 650 children from the Holocaust by arranging for trains to carry them from Nazi-occupied Prague to safety in England; and
WHEREAS, Sir Nicholas Winton was working as a 29-year-old clerk at the London Stock Exchange when he persuaded government officials to accept the children and found foster homes for them in England; and
WHEREAS, The evacuations continued until war was declared by Britain on September 3, 1939, tragically cancelling a train which was scheduled to carry the largest evacuation of 250 children to Britain; and
WHEREAS, Sir Nicholas Winton served in the Royal Air Force during the war, but remained quiet concerning his exploits for 50 years until his wife persuaded him to have his story documented; and
WHEREAS, A film entitled, "Nicholas Winton - The Power of Good" was named a recipient of an International Emmy Award in 2002; and
WHEREAS, Queen Elizabeth knighted Sir Nicholas Winton in 2003 and the Czech Republic awarded him its highest honor, the Order of the White Lion in 2014; and
WHEREAS, British Prime Minister David Cameron hailed Sir Nicholas Winton as a "giant of moral courage and determination" and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said he will be remembered as a hero from "those darkest of times"; and
WHEREAS, The bravery, sacrifice and dedication of Sir Nicholas Winton serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Sir Nicholas Winton was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Sir Nicholas Winton 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 twenty-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby commemorate Sir Nicholas Winton for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sir Nicholas Winton.