RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has conferred the prestigious honor of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, upon the Honorable James R. Thompson; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this honor by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson is a former Governor of the State of Illinois and is the Senior Chairman of Winston 8s Strawn, LLP, an international and domestic law firm; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson was recognized at a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for his significant contributions to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening economic relations between the United States and Japan; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Winston & Strawn from 1991 to 2006 and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ofthe firm from 1993 to 2006; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson ably served for a record 14 years as Governor and during his esteemed tenure made foreign trade a top priority of his administration; and
WHEREAS, As Governor, the Honorable James R. Thompson led eight missions to promote investment between the State of Illinois and Japan, resulting in an increase in trade; and
WHEREAS, During the Honorable James R. Thompson's role as the state's chief executive, the number of Japanese business facilities in Illinois more than doubled and their employment tripled; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James R. Thompson continues to make many positive contributions to the state's economy in his current role as the Chairman of the Midwest-U.S. Japan Association, a group which promotes mutual trade and investment efforts between nine Midwest states and seven Japanese prefectures; and
WHEREAS, The hard work and civic commitment of the Honorable James R. Thompson serve as an example to all; now, therefore
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BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-eighth day of May, 2014, do hereby congratulate the Honorable James R. Thompson on receiving this prestigious honor and do hereby express our best wishes for his continued success and achievement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable James R. Thompson.
Aldetthdn - 14th Ward