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Type:
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Resolution
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Status:
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Adopted
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Intro date:
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5/6/2015
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Current Controlling Legislative Body:
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Title:
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Congratulations extended to Alderman Regner "Ray" Suarez for dedicated service to residents of 31st Ward
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Attachments:
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1. R2015-354.pdf
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
May 6, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution regarding our departing colleague Alderman Ray Suarez.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
H reso
adopt** by ffye Gity Gouncil of Gity of Ghicago, Illinois
^presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL >; on
vvwlBteClS' ^e Members of this Chamber are proud to congratulate our friend and colieagueTAIderman Regner "Ray" Sudrez, oh his twenty-four years of dedicated and outstanding service to the people of the 31 st Ward and the City of Chicago; and ...
WHEREAS, Born in Yauco, Puerto Rico, on October 26, 1946, Alderman Suarez courageously enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the Chicago City Council, Alderman Suarez coordinated the City of Chicago's Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Program for the Department of Streets and Sanitation, where he helped unemployed, underemployed and disadvantaged individuals find jobs. Later, as ah administrative assistant in the Mayor's Office, Alderman Suarez worked to ensure that federal grants to stimulate economic activity in depressed urban areas were fairly distributed throughout the City. He subsequently served qs an Assistant Commissioner in the Department of Streets and Sanitation; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Governor James R. Thompson appointed Alderman Suarez to the Illinois Job Training Coordinating Council, where he advised the Governor oh how best to spend State monies budgeted for employment and job training programs in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, First elected to the Chicago City Council in 1991, Alderman Sudrez strongly believed that the true measure of economic development is job retention and job creation, and he relentlessly marshaled public and private resources in support of that goal. During his tenure in office, nineteen new businesses opened their doors in the 31st Ward, including the Secretary of State Express Facility and the first Menards in the City of Chicago. The job fairs that Alderman Suarez routinely held in the Ward resulted in more than 2,500 jobs being offered to Ward residents. In March of this year, Alderman Suarez and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced d two-phase plan to develop the 1.5 million square-foot site, formerly occupied by the Olson Rug Company and later by Marshall Fields Company, located at 4000 West Diversey. This long-awaited project is expected to generate more than 1,600 new jobs in the 31st Ward at businesses that will include a 70,000 square-foot grocery store, high-tech office space, industrial and warehouse space, self-storage units, a data center and 84 business work/live units that allow employees to work from home; and
. WHEREAS, Alderman Suarez cared deeply about the Chicago Public Schools. Under his watch, each of the eight public schools in the 31s'. Ward underwent mdjor structural improvements, including lead ; abatement, window replacement/ the installation of new lockers, more security cameras, better lighting and air-conditioning and street.and alley repaying, as well as the expansion of five existing schools to prevent classroom overcrowding. More than $55 million was spent to make these schools safer and healthier for our childiren. In addition. Alderman Suarez^ was/ instrumental in securing $33.8 million jn. funding for the hew Kelvyn Park South High School, which includes expanded classroom space, modern computer and . science laboratories, and a beautiful new library and gymnasium/ and
WHEREAS, Alderman Suarez sponsored, numerous ordinances and initiatives to promote the safety and well-being of Chicago's residents. His many legislative; accomplishments include amending the City's Condominium Ordinance to enhance : consumer protection for residents; the Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Ordinance; and the Bed Bug Ordinance, which has become a national model for the treatment and eradication of bed bug infestation. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Rain Blocker Pilot Program to prevent basement flooding during heavy rainstorms; and
WHEREAS, A strong leader who keenly . understood the Unique problems confronting Chicago's Latino communities, Alderman Suarez dedicated himself to bringing affordable housing to the 31st Ward, and to assisting the Ward's most vulnerable residents by holding annual health fairs for senior citizens and children, providing them with free health screenings, immunizations and other vital services. He also frequently sponsored Citizenship workshops and food drives to benefit the people of his Ward; and
WHEREAS, In addition jo serving as Vice-Mayor since 2011, Alderman Suqrez has served with distinction on many Chicago City Council committees, including, most recently, as Chairman of the Committee on Housing and Real Estate; and ds d member of the Committee on Aviation; Committee on Budget and Government Operations; Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics; Committee on . F|ndhce; Committee on Transportation and Public Way; Committee on Workforce Development and Audit; and Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards; how, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this sixth day of May, 2015, do hereby extend to Alderman Regner "Ray" Suarez our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for his. many years Of exceptional service to the people of Chicago, and our best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors; and .
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