Cons.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
MAYOR
May 4, 2011
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution regarding our departing friend and colleague, City Clerk del Valle.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber are proud to congratulate City Clerk Miguel del Valle for his outstanding and dedicated service to the people of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 24,195Tin Puerto Rico, Clerk del Valle grew up in the West Town and Humboldt Park areas of Chicago, graduated from Tuley High School (now Roberto Clemente Community Academy), and attended Northeastern Illinois University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and his Master's degree in Counseling; and
WHEREAS, Clerk del Valle has served as the Unit Director of Barreto Boys and Girls Club, as the Executive Director of the Association House, a non-for-profit organization providing social services and educational programs on Chicago's Northwest side, and generously gave of his time to serve with the Center for Neighborhood Technology and the Pilsen-Little Village Mental Health Center; and
WHEREAS, Elected the first Hispanic Senator in the Illinois General Assembly in 1987, where he served with honor and distinction for 20 years, Clerk de Valle rose through the ranks to become Illinois' first Hispanic Assistant Majority Leader, and also served as the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, as a member of the Senate Executive, Labor and Higher Education committees, and as a co-chair ofthe Senate Select Committee on Education Funding Reform; and
WHEREAS, A champion of minority representation in the legislative and judicial branches of government, who served as the first non-African-American member of the Illinois Black Legislative Caucus, Clerk del Valle is recognized for his outstanding leadership in the 1981,1991, and 2001 redistricting cases that resulted in the creation of more fairly balanced districts at city, county and state levels; and
WHEREAS, Appointed in 2006 as the City Clerk of Chicago by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Clerk del Valle won his first municipal election on February 27, 2007, becoming the first Latino elected to serve as the City Clerk of the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Clerk del Valle brought his significant talent and energy to the office ofthe City Clerk, the most visited office in City Hall, that maintains the official records ofthe City, including all City Council legislation, distributes 1.3 million vehicle stickers annually, issues business and automatic amusement device licenses and manages the City's dog registration program; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated and visionary leader, Clerk del Valle has been instrumental in bringing more modernity, efficiency and visibility to the City Clerk's services by providing greater access to public records, including Internet-based access to legislation, webcasting of City Council meetings, expanding community outreach programs, modernizing operations to expedite dog registration, and the sale of vehicle stickers and residential parking permits; and
WHEREAS, In his long and illustrious public service career, Clerk del Valle co-fouhded a number of organizations, including the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, which he also co-chaired, the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher Education and the Alliance of Latinos and Jews; founded the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees; served as Mayor Harold Washington's Chairman on a Mayoral Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, and as a board member of several not-for-profit organizations, including Josephinum High School and the Spanish Coalition for housing; and taught a class at Roosevelt University; and
WHEREAS, A highly respected elected official and distinguished community leader, in 2008, Clerk del Valle was awarded an honorary degree from National Louis University for his inspirational leadership, and currently he serves on the Board of Directors for Advance Illinois and chairs the Illinois P-20 Council, a statewide council that studies and recommends initiatives on education; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fourth day of May, 2011, do hereby commend City Clerk Miguel del Valle for his excellent service as the City Clerk of the City of Chicago, and extend to him our best wishes for continued success and fulfilment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to City Clerk Miguel del Valle as a sign of our appreciation and esteem.