RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Jerry Roper has gone to his eternal reward at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of tlie South Loop, Jerry Roper was a widely admired Chicago business leader and tlie loving husband of Carol; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Roper was the much-adored father of Jerry, Jr., and Tani and the grandfather of two to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career, Jerry Roper was an outstanding and effective ambassador for Chicago; and
WHEREAS, A tireless advocate for small business, Jerry Roper ably served from 1993 to 2013 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of tlie Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Jerry Roper, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce earned the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's prestigious five-star accreditation for its "sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the region's business climate"; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Roper testified on numerous occasions before the Chicago City Council on matters affecting business and successfully championed the repeal of the Chicago head tax on employees and a rollback of the county's sales tax; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Roper also played an influential role in the development of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, a Chamber affiliate; and
WHEREAS, Prior to heading the Chamber, Jerry Roper was in charge of marketing and sales for the Chicago convention bureau; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Roper will be remembered for his elegance, wise counsel, true dignity and compassion toward others; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Jerry Roper 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, Jerry Roper 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, Jerry Roper 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-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby commemorate Jerry Roper 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 tlie family of Jerry Roper.
