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 Deborah L. Graham.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
<^$p Tlie Qity Qoimcil
MAY 6, 2015
OK
;.jpW * MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL
Whereas ", The Members of this Chamber are proud to congratulate our friend and colleague, Alderman Deborah L. Graham, on her five years of dedicated and outstanding service to the people of the 2? Ward and the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Graham graduated from Chicago's George Collins High School and earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Robert Morris College; dnd
' WHEREAS, A survivor of domestic violence, Alderman Graham worked as a Senior Case Manager at Inner Voice, an organization that provides support' for homeless women who have been abused; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Graham began her career as a prominent and tireless public servant in 2002, when she won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. She was re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008. During her time in the General Assembly, Alderman Graham compiled a distinguished record, supporting legislation on gun regulation, access to affordable health care; predatory lending, the foreclosure crisis, environmental protection, and child safety; and ;
WHEREAS, Alderman Graham was first appointed to the Chicago City Council in 2010 to fill a vacant aldermanic seat. The following year, she was elected as Alderman of the 29th Ward; and ;
WHEREAS, Alderman Graham's many achievements as alderman include the multi-million dollar repair and renovation of Austin's Columbus Park, one of the historically important works of renowned park designer Jens Jensen. Through fierce advocacy and masterful coalition building, Alderman Graham successfully persuaded the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, arid Illinois Department of National Resources to provide the resources necessary to repair badly flooded baseball diamonds in area parks and to add new football and soccer fields, among other improvements; and
WHEREAS, A staunch advocate for her constituents, Alderman" Graham-spearheaded critical changes to the Deleterious Impact Ordinance, allowing Chicagoans to more easily deal with troublesome businesses in their communities. She : led efforts to stem the proliferation of pawn shops in Chicago, and she introduced an ordinance to more effectively address curfew violations by young Chicagoans; qnd
WHEREAS, Alderman Graham has served with distinction on many Chicago City Council committees, including as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety; and as a member of the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations; Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics; Committee on Finance; : Committee on License and Consumer Protection; Committee oh Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation; Committee on Transportation and Public Way; and Committee On Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards; now,.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 Deborah L. Graham our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for her many years of exceptional service to the people of Chicago, and our best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors; and
. BE 7T FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alderman Deborah L. Graham as a token of our appreciation and esteem.