RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland was the loving husband of Helen; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland was the father of seven children, the grandfather of eighteen and the great-grandfather of sixteen to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, A farmer, the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland was a Minnesota Congressman from 1971 to 1977 where he served on the Agriculture Committee and helped direct policies related to price supports; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland was Secretary of Agriculture from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter; and
WHEREAS, While at the helm of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland commissioned a report on the structure of American agriculture as well as a report on organic farming; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland also defended the President's grain embargo against the Soviet Union after the invasion of Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, In his retirement, the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland served as a Regent for the University of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-third day of January, 2019, do hereby commemorate the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of the Honorable Robert Selmer Bergland.
