Resolution
WHEREAS, Bernarda "Bernic" Lo Wong is a founder and die President of the Chinese American Service League (CASL), the largest, most comprehensive social service agency in the Midwest dedicated to serving the needs of Chinese Americans; and
WHEREAS, Bernie was born and raised in Hong Kong. At eighteen, she moved to Sioux City, Iowa to earn a B.A. in Sociology from Briar Cliff University and later a Master's Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Bernie and her friends began building the Chinese American Service League in an effort to help new immigrants overcome the challenges of a new culture and language; and
WHEREAS, Under Bernie's leadership, CASL has grown from a one-person shop in 1979 with an annual budget of $32,000 to a $13.5 million agency, providing child services, elder services, employment training services, family counseling, and housing and financial education to over 17,000 clients of all ages and backgrounds each year; and
WHEREAS, Bernie is an active community member, serving as the Chair of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Asian Affairs and was the first Asian appointed to the Boards of United Way of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library. She also served on the Governor's Asian Advisory Council and the Leadership of the Greater Chicago Board; and
WHEREAS, Bernie is a board member of the Chicago Corrirnission on Human Relations, the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and the Council for the Illinois Department on Aging. Bernie is also founding member of Chinese Immigrant Service Agencies Network International; and
WHEREAS, She has earned many awards for her work, including the Alumna of the Year Award from Briar Cliff University (1988), the Commissioner's Team Award from the Social Security Adrriinistration (1997), the Luminary Senior Award from the Chicago Department on Aging (2002), the Community Organizer Trailblazer Award from Rainbow/Push Coalition (2004), the Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Social Work at Washington University (2006), the Edward J. Williams Community Leadership Award from Harris Bank (2010), the Champion of Change Award as part of President Obama's "Winning the Future" initiative (2012), the Outstanding Community Leader Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (2012), the YWCA Racial Justice Award (2012), the Chicago History Museum's Jane Addams Making History Award for Distinction in Social Service (2013), the "Remarkable Woman" award by the Chicago Tribune (2013), the Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award (2015), the Fifth Third Bank Community Leader Award (2015), Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs' Outstanding Leader Award (2016), and the Briar Cliff University Distinguished Alumni Award (2016), and was named one of "100 Women of Influence" by Today's Chicago Woman; and
WHEREAS, Bernie's dedication to serving others widi dignity and respect and her commitment to the welfare of others and the City of Chicago is truly exemplary; now, therefore,
BE IT BE RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here on this fifth day of October, 2016, do hereby thank Bernarda Lo Wong for her invaluable service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Bernarda Lo Wong as a token of our honor, gratitude, and respect.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
October 5, 2016
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Thompson and Solis, a congratulatory resolution concerning Bernarda Lo Wong.
Your favorable consideration ofthis resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,