RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan headed the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York from 2000 to 2009; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure as the spiritual leader of the archdiocese's 400 parishes, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan increased the number of parishioners by 204,000 and doubled the budget of Catholic Charities; and
WHEREAS, Among his many other accomplishments, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan restored the archdiocese to fiscal stability within just two years and significantly increased enrollment in Catholic elementary and secondary schools; and
WHEREAS, Following the deadly terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan anointed the dead, handed out rosaries to rescue workers and presided over the funerals of the victims; and
WHEREAS, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan previously served as the Bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1988 to 2000 and as Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Titular Bishop of Allegheny from 1985 to 1988; and
WHEREAS, A native of Oak Park, Illinois, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan was the son of Irish immigrants and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Martin John O'Connor in 1957; and
WHEREAS, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan was a widely respected authority on canon law who worked tirelessly to help immigrants and improve race relations in New York neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, The holiness, sacrifice and dedication of His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this eighteenth day of March, 2015, do hereby commemorate His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of His Ejfiinence, Edward Cardinal Egan.
Alderman - 14th Ward