Celebration for Rev. Dr. Leon D. Finney Jr/s 80th Birthday
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. will celebrate the joyful occasion of his 80th Birthday on July 7, 2018; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that the City Council ofthe City of Chicago is hereby informed of this special occurrence by the Honorable Patricia Dowell, Alderman ofthe 3rd Ward; and of Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr.'s 80th birthday on July 7, 2018; and
WHEREAS, On Friday, July 13, friends and family of Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr., Pastor of Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church an instrumental member ofthe Chicago community, will commence the celebration of this wonderful event; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Finney was born in Louise, Mississippi in 1938. He earned an M.A. in economics and urban community development from Goddard College, an M.A. in theological studies and a doctor of theology degree from McCormick Theological Seminary as well as a doctorate in public administration studies from Nova University; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, after admirably serving his country, Dr. Finney received an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps where he served as a Criminal Investigator/Counter Intelligence Officer. Leon Finney Jr. worked with Saul Alinsk/s Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) as a Community Organizer assigned to The Woodlawn Organization (TWO), which he led to become one of the most influential organizations of its type; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Finney became distinguished as a sought after organizer and advisor on community development, race relations and organizing for the empowerment of marginalized people. In addition to TWO, Dr. Finney devoted his time and energy to the Civil Rights Movement, the Harold Washington Campaign and the Obama Presidential Campaign. Dr. Finney truly demonstrates a tireless commitment to enhancing the quality of life for others; and
WHEREAS, His proven commitment as a compassionate leader afforded him the opportunity to work with private and public organizations such as Borg Warner, AT&T, ComEd, First National Bank, MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Urban League, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, White House Conference on Balanced Growth and Small Business, State of Israel on Race Relations and the Presbyterian Women's Organization of Korea; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Finney has served in many leadership roles including Co-Chair ofthe lAF's Metro Chicago interfaith Organizing Committee, National Chairman Finance Committee for Jesse Jackson for President, Chairman ofthe Chicago Finance Committee to help elect Nelson Mandela President of South Africa, Volunteer Field Organizer and Coordinator in the State of Indiana for Barack Obama for President. He became known and appreciated as a trusted advisor to many; and
WHEREAS, One of Dr. Finney's most notable achievements in the City of Chicago was giving definition to the national Community Development Corporation (CDC) movement by organizing and leading one of our nation's first such association, the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. This Corporation has, over the past four decades, created and employed over 300 men and women full time for more than 10 years plus, earning him the distinction of being one of the largest African American employers in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Finney also made many contributions to the multi-media communications industry in the past forty years. He was the publisher ofthe Observer Newspaper, television host of "Another Perspective" and founded and launched the Urban Broadcast Media Center in the Bronzeville Community, a media technology training center for young adults; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, after receiving his doctorate degree, Dr. Finney was invited by the World Parliament of Religions to organize the African American Inter Religious Community and to participate in its One Hundred Year Anniversary. He is currently the Convener ofthe Metropolitan Faith In Action Conference, a mass-based coalition of community based organizations committed to addressing the civic issues of both the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Dr. Finney also proudly and faithfully serves as the Pastorate ofthe Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church to fulfill his highest calling of serving others in the presence of God; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. will be in the presence of friends and family for his 80th birthday. He will carry with him the spirit of his late son, Leon D. Finney III, throughout the memorable weekend; and
WHEREAS, He is undoubtedly a leader of leaders, an instrument of change and an icon of the City of Chicago who deserves to be recognized and celebrated; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-seventh day of June, 2018, do hereby commend and honor Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney Jr., for the inspiration he has provided to his colleagues, friends, family, the ministry of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church and the people in the City of Chicago. We congratulate Dr. Finney on his 80th birthday and extend our very best wishes for many more birthdays.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney Jr.
PAT DOWELL Alderman, 3rd Ward
