RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, David F. Vite, a tireless advocate for the retail community, is retiring from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) after 35 years of dedicated service, including 28 as the Association's President and CEO; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vite was raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he spent his youth working in his father's bar and playing football, hoping to play one day for his beloved Green Bay Packers; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vite enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1970, and was stationed in Berlin, West Germany. Upon his return to the United States, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin - Lacrosse in 1974; and
WHEREAS, After serving as Executive Director of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Vite was hired in 1978 by the late Hugh Muncy as a Field Representative for IRMA, a position in which he travelled tirelessly across the state expanding IRMA's membership. Mr. Vite quickly moved up to Manager of Member Relations, and then, in 1981, to Vice President of Government Affairs, assuming the responsibility of directing all legislative and government affairs for the Association; and
WHEREAS, Struck by Mr. Vite's skill for building and maintaining relationships, solving problems, and effective advocacy, Mr. Muncy and the IRMA Board of Directors tapped him as the next leader of IRMA by promoting him to Executive Vice President in 1983. Mr. Vite was installed as the Association's President and CEO in 1985; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vite has served on the Illinois Department of Employment Security Advisory Board for over 20 years, and also plays a significant role on the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board. He served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Retail Federation, and is a former Chairman of the Council of State Retail Associations and Speaker of the Illinois Third House; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, recognizing the importance of Chicago to IRMA members, Mr. Vite revived the Chicago Retail Merchants Association, which has worked with the City government on crucial issues such as food deserts, inspection policies, licensing, and retail development and growth; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vite has spent years giving back to his community by serving on the boards of St. Mary's Catholic School in Woodstock, Memorial Hospital of McHenry County, and Centegra Health System; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vite's prolific and significant achievements are worthy of our admiration and respect, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-fourth day of July, 2013, do hereby salute David F. Vite for his lifelong career as an esteemed and effective advocate for the retail industry, and we wish him all the best in the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to David F. Vite as a token of our respect and admiration.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL MAYOR
July 24, 2013
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution regarding David F. Vite. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,