Record #: R2015-803   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 10/14/2015 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 10/14/2015
Title: Congratulations extended to Henry J. Rutkowski, Sr. on 90th birthday
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2015-803.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., a widely admired member of the Archer Heights community, will celebrate the joyful occasion of his 90th Birthday on November 2, 2015; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, A member of our nation's "Greatest Generation," Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., is a decorated of World War II hero and a former prisoner of war; and

 

WHEREAS, On December 6, 2014, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Edward M. Burke dedicated a street sign in honor of Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., outside St. Bruno's Church, where he is an usher; and

 

WHEREAS, The ceremony was held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of when Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., and his crew were forced to bail out of their B-17 Flying Fortress over Holland when the plane was shot down during a bombing mission; and

 

WHEREAS, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., was captured by German soldiers and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner in Barth, Germany; and

 

WHEREAS, Following the war, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., married the former Vikki Yanukenas, who passed away in 1987; and

 

WHEREAS, During their long and fruitful marriage, the couple were blessed with three children, Henry, Jr., Chriss and Rick; and

 

WHEREAS, The much-respected patriarch of his family, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., is the grandfather of eight, the great-grandfather of sixteen and the great-great grandfather of one; and

 

WHEREAS, Prior to his retirement in 1993, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., worked for forty years for Schulze & Birch located at 1133 West 35th Street; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Each year, without fail, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., has attended Mass to pay tribute to the memory of the brave and valiant crew of his plane, the Blanco Diablo; and

 

WHEREAS, Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., is a valued member of Ted Stempien VFW Post on Archer Avenue and is a supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project; and

 

WHEREAS, A surprise birthday party will be held on October 18, 2015, at the Royal Palace, 6254 West IIIth Street, Chicago Ridge, Illinois; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this fourteenth day of October 2015, do hereby congratulate Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr., on the occasion of his 90th Birthday and do hereby express our best wishes for his continued good health, happiness and prosperity; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented Henry J. "Hank" Rutkowski, Sr.

Alderfnan - 14th Ward