RESOLUTION HONORING ALDERMAN REGNER SUAREZ FOR HIS WORK
IN THE POLISH COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Alderman Regner "Ray" Suarez is to be honored on February 13th, 2014 at the 83rd Annual Installation of Officers and Awards Dinner, presented with the Award of Merit by Steven Rakowski, the newly appointed President ofthe Advocates Society of Polish American Attorneys; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed of this honor by the Honorable Michael R. Zalewski of the 23rd Ward, who will be in attendance at the awards ceremony to acknowledge this honor and present this resolution on behalf of Mayor Emanuel and the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The 31st Ward, a vibrant community of people of diverse backgrounds and origins, has been represented by Alderman Suarez since his election in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Suarez began selflessly serving others early on in his life, serving as a United States Marine during the Vietnam War and coming to Chicago to begin a career in public service through various city departments before being elected alderman; and
WHEREAS, the 31st Ward, a melting pot of cultures and languages from around the world, has a pulsating and vibrant Polish population, and Alderman Suarez has always sought to serve the Polish constituency by hiring Polish speaking staff, attending and promoting Polish cultural festivals, generously hosting delegates from Poland, defending the integrity of Kosciuszko Park, and has been a tremendous advocate for Polish-owned businesses in the ward in their navigation of regulatory obstacles; and
WHEREAS, by generously hosting delegates from Poland and traveling to Poland in 2014 to meet with local government officials to promote international business opportunities, Alderman Suarez demonstrates his personal commitment to connecting Chicago's Polish population to Poland, promoting diplomacy and understanding and embodying Chicago's commitment to being a global city; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Suarez moved to obtain the honorary renaming ofthe triangle at Ashland, Division and Milwaukee to "Polish Triangle," thereby preserving the importance of an ethnic community that helped establish the success and reputation of what is now a rapidly changing neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, deeply admired in his community, Alderman Suarez has been especially accommodating and committed to the Polish community ofthe 31st Ward. His accessibility to all constituents, regardless of language or country of origin, has been a bedrock of his public service career; and
WHEREAS, The Advocates Society of Polish American Attorneys, an example of a professional organization in the Polish community dedicated to the advancement of their community, recognize the accomplishments of Alderman Ray Suarez by awarding him the Award of Merit on the same day that L. Steven Rakowski accepts his installation as President of the society; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, assembled here this 5th Day of February, 2014, do hereby salute Alderman and Vice-Mayor Regner Suarez, and express our best wishes for outstanding continued commitment to public service for years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Alderman Suarez and the Polish American Attorneys Advocates Society.
MICHAEL ZALEWSKI
Alderman, 23rd Ward
CO (XT'