RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Reverend George Clements, a widely admired member of the religious community, will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Wednesday, May 3, 2017; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A native of Chicago, the Reverend George Clements was born to Samuel and Aldpnia Clements and was raised near 51st and King Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend George Clements attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and became the first African-American graduate of Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1945; and
WHEREAS, After earning a master's degree at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, the Reverend George Clements was ordained to the priesthood by Samuel Cardinal Stritch on May 3, 1957; and
WHEREAS, During the 1960s the Reverend George Clements became actively involved in the civil rights movement and marched alongside the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. in Chicago as well as in southern states including Alabama and Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, From 1969 to 1991, the Reverend George Clements led Holy Angels Parish on the South Side during which time he spearheaded improvements and built it into a flourishing religious community and
WHEREAS, The Reverend George Clements became the first Catholic priest to adopt a child in the 1980s and later adopted three more children; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend George Clements is the founder of programs including, One Church-One Child, One Church-One Addict and One Church-One Inmate ;and
WHEREAS, The remarkable goodness, compassion and commitment of the Reverend George Clements serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend George Clements will join with family members, friends and former parishioners in marking this anniversary at a Mass at Holy Angels Parish followed by banquet at the Chicago Hilton and Towers; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this nineteenth day of April, 2017, do hereby congratulate the Reverend George Clements on this special anniversary celebration and do hereby declare that Wednesday, May 3, 2017, shall be recognized as The Reverend George Clements Day throughout the City of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the ReverenpVGeorge Clements.
