RE SO LU HON
WHEREAS, Joseph G. Williams, a proud West Englewood resident and newly elected to the 007th Police District Council on Feb. 28, 2023, has completed his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Joseph's accomplishment by the Honorable Stephanie D. Coleman, Alderman of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, At age 33, Joseph is a first-generation college graduate teaching his five children Janiyah, Samiya, Naomi, Serenity, and Joseph, Jr. that it is never too late to follow your dreams and complete your goals; and
WHEREAS, Joseph has not only shown dedication to his studies but also to his community; after seeing the impact volunteering at his children's school had on the classroom, he founded the Mr. Dad's Father's Club - an organization devoted to providing positive male role models to children in schools in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, As part of his work with Mr. Dad's Father's Club, Joseph organized a coat drive providing over 2,000 winter coats to families in the community, and he also started a fundraiser to help Black-owned businesses damaged in the social unrest during the summer of 2020; and
WHEREAS, Joseph has been a consistent reliable force in his community, believing that the narrative we tell Black and Brown children that their education is not important needs to change; and
WHEREAS, As a violence interrupter, Joseph relates to the youth in his community by sharing his own lived experience and mistakes since there are certain things you can only understand after living through them; these same experiences have taught Joseph that an effective intervention is one that encourages youth to walk a path of peace; and
WHEREAS, Joseph's community work, devotion to the improvement of the 16th Ward, and his degree in Criminal Justice will each help him build stronger connections between the police and the community as part of the 007th Police District Council; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this thirty-first day of May, 2023, do hereby extend our congratulations to Joseph G. Williams; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Joseph G. Williams as a sign of our honor and respect.
STEPHANIE D. COLEMAN Alderman, 16th Ward