Record #: R2013-662   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 7/24/2013 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 7/24/2013
Title: Recognition extended to Chicago Defender Charities, Inc. for hosting Bud Billiken Day Parade and efforts to improve quality of life for African-Americans
Sponsors: Dowell, Pat
Attachments: 1. R2013-662.pdf
A Resolution Honoring the Chicago Defender Charities Inc. and the Bud Billiken Pay Parade and Picnic
WHEREAS, The Chicago Defender newspaper was founded by Robert Sengstacke Abbott in 1905 to help bring awareness to the injustices suffered by African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, The Bud Billiken Day Parade and Picnic has been an annual institution in Chicago since it was started by Mr. Abbott in 1929 to help usher children back to school; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 84th year of the parade, which is the largest African-American parade and the second largest parade overall in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Defender Charities Inc. was founded in 1945 and continues the important work began by Robert S. Abbott; and
WHEREAS, In addition to running the Bud Billiken Day Parade and Picnic, the Chicago Defender Charities also has cultural, social, and educational programs designed to improve the quality of life for African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, The programs at the Chicago Defender Charities include a scholarship initiative that has provided $1.2 million in scholarships to 59 African-American students in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Defender Charities also has a Green Team program for youth that engages them in sustainability initiatives; and
WHEREAS, There are few if any, organizations in the United States that have done more to make a positive difference in the lives of African-Americans than the Chicago Defender Charities Inc., particularly as it relates to the management and hosting of the Bud Billiken Day Parade and Picnic, which is one of the most historically significant annual events in the country; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the City Council of Chicago gathered here this twenty-fourth day of July, 2013 do hereby acknowledge the tremendous history and the important work of the Chicago Defender Charities Inc. and the Bud Billiken Day Parade; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to the Chicago Defender Charities Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
Pat Dowell ' Alderman, 3rd Ward