RESOLUTION HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF AUGUST "AUGIE" SALLAS
WHEREAS, August "Augie" Sallas has retired following a lifetime of service to his community; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone by the Honorable Michael Rodriguez, Alderman ofthe 22nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Augie was born on August 11, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up at Angel Guardian Orphanage and later attended Chicago Vocational High School in South Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation, Augie secured employment as an apprentice in the printing industry, before marrying Marge and raising six children; and
WHEREAS, Augie utilized his talents to lead the creation of a memorial mural in Blue Island honoring local businesses and community leaders, and creating and implementing the "Fiesta del Sol" event in Blue Island, which became a model for the annual "Fiesta del Sol" in Pilsen; and
WHEREAS, Augie has spent his life furthering the labor movement in Chicago, as an organizer for the Chicago Typographical Union No. 16 (CTU), and its recording secretary, before being elected as its first Mexican American president in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, During his years as president, Augie was responsible for ending a 40-month strike with the Chicago Tribune; and
WHEREAS, Augie also supported his union brothers and sisters by serving as secretary-treasurer of the Chicago Allied Printing Trade Council (CAPTC) for 12 years, as delegate in the state AFL-CIO and the Chicago Federation of Labor organizations, as the president of the Hispanic American Labor Council (HALC), and participated in AFL-CIO of Illinois, the Chicago Federation of Labor, and the Chicago Independent Club activities; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Augie was a member of a referendum committee to fund the Moraine Valley Community College, and his vote succeeded in making the College a reality for area residents; and
WHEREAS, Augie moved his family to the Little Village Community (South Lawndale) to begin his career of political activism; Augie believed that the 22nd Ward, with a majority population of Mexicans, should have the right to elect a Mexican American Alderman; and
WHEREAS, While Augie's pursuit for political office as a Democratic candidate was ultimately unsuccessful, his candidacy was successful in giving the 22nd Ward a Mexican American Alderman, and he later devoted his time supporting the Democratic Party and community service; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Augie became the Little Village Community Council President, where, in addition to his weekly column in the Lawndale News, he conducted annual events that served the residents and non-residents of Little Village, including expungement workshops, annual Christmas gifts drives, CityKey events, free mini-health fairs and "4-Men" only health fairs, U.S.
Passport day, police exam recruitment day, Cesar Chavez Day, voter registration drives, and a free legal aid day; and
WHEREAS, Under Augie's leadership, the Little Village Community Council also collaborated with the Consulate General of Mexico and the Cook County Assessor's Office to provide property tax exemption assistance; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Augie helped restore the Little Village Arch Clock that was donated by the Mexican government to the residents of Little Village; on April 9, 2014, the City named the Little Village Community Council as the custodian ofthe arch and clock; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Augie became a member of the Local School Council at Farragut Academy, where he served two full terms; and
WHEREAS, Augie's passion and years of dedication have left lasting impacts on every community he was a part of, improving the quality of life of his fellow residents of Little Village, as well as his fellow union brothers and sisters; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-second day of July, 2020, do hereby congratulate August "Augie" Sallas on his retirement, and express our gratitude and appreciation for his years of service leadership, service, and dedication to the Little Village community, and extend our best wishes for continued health and happiness in his next chapter; and
MICHAEL D. RODRIGUEZ Alderman, 22nd Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to August "Augie" Sallas as a token of our esteem, gratitude, and respect.
