RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, 2013 marks the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the Anti-Defamation League; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this landmark anniversary by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, In 1913, as a response to degrading portrayals of Jewish people in the media and in hopes of preventing acts of violence such as the lynching of Leo Frank, Chicago lawyer Sigmund Livingston founded the Anti-Defamation League (ADL); and
WHEREAS, Operating under the auspices of The Independent Order of B'nai Brith, the ADL set out "to stop, by appeals to reason and conscience and, if necessary, by appeals to law, the defamation of the Jewish people;" and
WHEREAS, The ADL also aimed "to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens;" and
WHEREAS, Over the past ten decades, the ADL has presented a powerful voice for fairness and inclusion on a local, national and international basis; and
WHEREAS, Through its outstanding advocacy and education efforts, the ADL played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement and has made invaluable contributions to lessening the power of hatred and prejudice in our world; and
WHEREAS, In addition its fearless campaign against anti-semitism, the ADL has raised awareness of issues such as domestic terrorism, hate crimes, cyber-bullying and violence toward LGBT individuals; and
WHEREAS, With an impressive one-hundred years of achievement, the ADL stands ready to respond to future threats to our country's cherished values of equality, freedom and inclusion; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we. the Mayor and the members ofthe Chicago City Council, assembled this seventeenth day of January, 2013, do hereby commemorate the ADL for one-hundred years of commitment to fighting racism, discrimination and prejudice in all its forms; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the ADL in recognition of its outstanding accomplishments and appreciation for its