RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Eugene C. Patterson has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Eugene C. Patterson was the loving and devoted husband of the late Mary Sue Carter; and
WHEREAS, Eugene C. Patterson was the much-adored father of Mary Patterson Fausch and beloved grandfather of three to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Eugene C. Patterson served proudly as a tank commander during World War II in General George S. Patton's Third Army, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge; and
WHEREAS, After leaving the Army in 1947, Eugene C. Patterson returned to his first love, journalism, and spent the next four decades waging vigorous campaigns to advance the cause of civil rights, to hold the government accountable to its citizens and to maintain ethical standards in media; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, as editor and daily columnist for the Atlanta Constitution, Eugene C. Patterson published "A Flower for the Graves," a withering indictment of those who supported and perpetrated violence against African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, A reporter, editor and news executive held in the highest regard by his peers, Eugene C. Patterson was elected President ofthe American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1977 and 1978 and was a member ofthe Pulitzer Prize Board from 1974 to 1985;and
WHEREAS, A vocal advocate for racial equality, Eugene C. Patterson served as Vice Chairman ofthe United States Commission on Civil Rights under President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1964 to 1968; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and noble spirit of Eugene C. Patterson serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Eugene C. Patterson 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, To his beloved family, Eugene C. Patterson imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; 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 Eugene C. Patterson 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 Eugene C. Patterson.